Most of my life as a youth, I was involved in team sports. Recently in my master's course, Effective Leadership, I wrote about team leadership. Teams are effective. Bill Hybels talks about team communities in his book, Courageous Leadership. I quote from his book the following:
When Dr. Graham stood to receive his medal, he looked at the award and then quietly said, "This medal is really not for me. This medal is for our team. We've been together for forty-five years. Wwithout each member my life would not have been the same. I owe them so much." Then he listed, one by one, thames of those who had formed the core of his evangelistic ministry. As he spoke their names he struggled to contain his emotion.
Still, I did not fully realize how deeply Dr. Graham and his associates valued team until, sometime later, I enjoyed a visit at his home in Montreat, North Carolina. He led me down the hill from his home and pointed out the houses being built nearby bsome of his team members. Apparently, forty-five years of togetherness was not enough for this tightly knitm. Even as they neared the end of their lives, they wanted to be together, caring for and supporting each oth, just as they had throughout their ministry years. I was deeply moved by their commitment to stay together all the way to the end.
Jesus too provides us a model of a leader who built a cohesive, loving team. One incident toward the end of his life is particularly touching. On the eve of his betrayal, he gathered his team together in the Upper Room and drew them close with these words: "I earnestly desire to share the meal with you." Then he broke the bread and shared the wine. His instructions for the future were specific. They were to continue this practice of remembering him, in community. Think of it. The first time communion was ever taken it was a team experience. And it's suppose to continue to be a team experience.
Has anyone experienced authentic team community? Does anyone desire to be a part of such team community? What is team community like for those who are experiencing it?
I have experienced similar team community while playing peewee football. Our team was always together on and off the field. We would spend nights together, eat together, play together. We would go to the high school football games together and sit in the bleachers together. We would where our game jersey everywhere so people could identify us as a team. And because of that community we had a winning record, undefeated champions in our division. I again experienced team community playing high school football. We were always together, doing things together. And when we get together now at our reunions we reminisce about "the good old days." Then we called it camaraderie. Today, I think Hybels would refer to it as team community.
I am also experiencing it today, being involved in the District leadership team. I have a wonderful relationship with my fellow district officers. It is a pleasure to get together with them. We deeply care aboout one another and each other's family. We spend time together. In fact, I am looking forward to next week at General Presbytery meetings and General Council as the three of us can spend time together. We have been apart lately due to vacations. I miss our talks and laughter. I miss the sharing time. It will be good to catch up.
Now what about you? Let me know what you think about the concept of team community.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
An Interesting Discussion with Twenty-Somethings
Last night at Paradigm, a gathering of twenty-somethings, some of our discussion about our personalities and behavioral blends centered around a quote from Rex Miller's book.
"Our communication tools have changed over time: from spoken word, to written word, to broadcast-image word, to digital multimedia word. With each change has come a new and different way of seeing the world." (Rex Miller, The Millenium Matrix, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 15.)
The bottom line of all our discussion was this. Regardless the form of communication we are now using daily (text messaging, IM, MySpace, email, etc.), we all still have an inner desire and hunger for face to face time; where we can see, touch, feel, and hear one another; where all our senses are being used.
What I did not quote at our talk was the rest of Miller's words following the above quote. Miller went on to say:
"Here's what happens:
*When our communication tools change, our perception changes.
*Changed perception creates changed understanding.
*Changed understanding changes our psychological makeup.
*Changed psyches change our interaction with the world (bold emphasis is mine).
*Changes in our interaction with the world change our relationsahips to one another (again bold emphasis is mine).
*Changes in our relationships leads to changes in the institutions that facilitate those relationships.
*Our psychological makeup changes, and we reshape the world in our own image." (Miller, The Millenium Matrix, 15-16)
Miller then later suggested trying this: "Imagine living in a different world where there is only verbal communication without written or recorded media" (no technology). What do you think?
"Our communication tools have changed over time: from spoken word, to written word, to broadcast-image word, to digital multimedia word. With each change has come a new and different way of seeing the world." (Rex Miller, The Millenium Matrix, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 15.)
The bottom line of all our discussion was this. Regardless the form of communication we are now using daily (text messaging, IM, MySpace, email, etc.), we all still have an inner desire and hunger for face to face time; where we can see, touch, feel, and hear one another; where all our senses are being used.
What I did not quote at our talk was the rest of Miller's words following the above quote. Miller went on to say:
"Here's what happens:
*When our communication tools change, our perception changes.
*Changed perception creates changed understanding.
*Changed understanding changes our psychological makeup.
*Changed psyches change our interaction with the world (bold emphasis is mine).
*Changes in our interaction with the world change our relationsahips to one another (again bold emphasis is mine).
*Changes in our relationships leads to changes in the institutions that facilitate those relationships.
*Our psychological makeup changes, and we reshape the world in our own image." (Miller, The Millenium Matrix, 15-16)
Miller then later suggested trying this: "Imagine living in a different world where there is only verbal communication without written or recorded media" (no technology). What do you think?
Friday, July 27, 2007
My Current Reading
I'm at Maine Bean this morning. That's right, it's Friday. Having a good cup of "Cabin Comfort," a medium flavor coffee and am enjoying a good book. Currently I am reading Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels. I highly recommend every person in any kind of leadership in the church to read this one. Hybel's is not writing it for the leadership gurus or big time CEO's. He's writing it for you and I with a challenge to fan into flames the gift of leadership. Enjoy your day. I'm gonna enjoy my book and cup of coffee.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Interesting Blog Thought
I usually do not blog more than once during a day, however, I came across an interesting blog site. It has to do with our Assemblies of God Fellowship's election of a new General Superintendent in August. You can follow the discussion and even participate with your own comments. Go to http://www.futureag.blogspot.com/ The dialogue taking place in most cases has been fabulous. The moderators are not allowing inappropriate comments to be posted.
One of the commentors made the following thoughts. Myself, being 56 years old, found it interesting. I think the anonymous writer did some good parsing of generational issues. Unfortunately, he left himself unamed. The individual did reveal that he was 50 years old. He or she wrote:
1. Information control—Older generations are content with a top-down approach to information dissemination; Younger generations value instant access to information (including background information on GS candidates).
2. Theology—Older generations are committed to systematic/dogmatic theological formations; Younger generations value biblical/narrative theology and are comfortable with mystery and paradox.
3. Change—Older generations are vested in status quo denominational systems; Younger generations prize innovation, change—even disequilibrium.
4. Size—Older generations equate bigger with better; Younger generations are committed to smaller more mobile systems.
5. Institution—Older generations believe in institutions; Younger generations are distrusting of institutions.
6. Diversity—Older generations have been content with all-male, all-Anglo leadership; Younger generations value diversity—gender, race, socio-economy.
7. Education—Older generations viewed higher-education with suspicion; Younger generations value training—formal and informal, technical and professional.
8. Collaboration—Older generations looked internally for resources and support; Younger generations look externally to best practices from the marketplace and other church groups.
I have to agree with the above. However, I have been taking steps to avoid being caught in the trap of being unable or unwilling to adapt and change by spending a great deal of my time with youth and twenty-somethings. It is amazing what they can teach you, if we are willing to listen and learn from them.
One of the commentors made the following thoughts. Myself, being 56 years old, found it interesting. I think the anonymous writer did some good parsing of generational issues. Unfortunately, he left himself unamed. The individual did reveal that he was 50 years old. He or she wrote:
1. Information control—Older generations are content with a top-down approach to information dissemination; Younger generations value instant access to information (including background information on GS candidates).
2. Theology—Older generations are committed to systematic/dogmatic theological formations; Younger generations value biblical/narrative theology and are comfortable with mystery and paradox.
3. Change—Older generations are vested in status quo denominational systems; Younger generations prize innovation, change—even disequilibrium.
4. Size—Older generations equate bigger with better; Younger generations are committed to smaller more mobile systems.
5. Institution—Older generations believe in institutions; Younger generations are distrusting of institutions.
6. Diversity—Older generations have been content with all-male, all-Anglo leadership; Younger generations value diversity—gender, race, socio-economy.
7. Education—Older generations viewed higher-education with suspicion; Younger generations value training—formal and informal, technical and professional.
8. Collaboration—Older generations looked internally for resources and support; Younger generations look externally to best practices from the marketplace and other church groups.
I have to agree with the above. However, I have been taking steps to avoid being caught in the trap of being unable or unwilling to adapt and change by spending a great deal of my time with youth and twenty-somethings. It is amazing what they can teach you, if we are willing to listen and learn from them.
Play By The Rules
It seems that recently, I have been reading a lot about athletes and even referees who are not playing by the rules. Barry Bonds is about to surpass Hank Aaron's all time home run record of 755. Unfortunately, he is surrounded by allegations and innuendos regarding steroid use. Then there is the Tour de France rider, Alexandre Vinokourov, who has been banned because of blood doping charges. There is also Michael Vick, charged with dog fighting. Finally, there is NBA referee, Tim Donaghy, accused of having made improper calls to shave points. Even my beloved Penn State football team has a shadow cast upon them as several players were disciplined for an off campus fight. What is going on?
Paul exhorted Timothy, "if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules" (2 Timothy 2:5 NIV). There is way that we believers should live, so that we do not bring reproach upon ourself or others who bear the title, "Christian." The sports world is getting a black eye. Let's not be too critical or judgmental. Instead maybe we need to evaluate our personal behavior and lifestyle in light of God's Word.
Paul exhorted Timothy, "if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules" (2 Timothy 2:5 NIV). There is way that we believers should live, so that we do not bring reproach upon ourself or others who bear the title, "Christian." The sports world is getting a black eye. Let's not be too critical or judgmental. Instead maybe we need to evaluate our personal behavior and lifestyle in light of God's Word.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Run the Race in Order to Finish
Paul wrote:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 The Message
[24] You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. [25] All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. [26] I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! [27] I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
Back in the 1980's and early 1990's I was an avid long distant road runner. I trained daily and ran in 5K and 10k road races weekly. I even ran in a marathon. I learned some valuable lessons from those earlier days that have guided me spiritually, also. Here's a few of those thoughts.
1. The Christian race is not a sprint. It isn't over in 10 seconds as is the 100 meter dash. It is more like a marathon. It's grueling. It's long. Therefore, pace your self for the long haul.
2. Because our Christian race is more like a marathon, we must learn to run our race at at a pace that is best for each individual. One of the things I learned was that I might do well in my age bracket, but there were always runners who could outrun me. I soon learned that it was more important to run against my personal best time than to run against the best of the best. Each time I tried to run against the best, I found myself doing poorly (time wise). I go home from the race frustrated and disappointed with myself. However, when I ran against my personal best time and beat it, I felt good about my accomplishment. I learned that it was more important to run against myself than to run against others in the race. In our Christian race we need to learn how to pace ourselves. We need to learn how to accept our limitations and learn to depend more on God in our weaknesses. It's not just about winning - its about finishing. We don't have to prove ourselves. It is God who validates who we are. Somebody will always be better than you.
At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, only a few thousand spectators remained in the stadium following the running of the marathon. It was more than an hour since the first three runners had finished. As these final spectators were leaving, they were suddenly aroused by the sound of sirens going off and policemen blowing their whistles. Confused, the spectators turned to look toward the entrance floor of the stadium. There entering the stadium came a lone figure wearing the colors of Tanzania. The runner's name was Steven Akhwari. He was the last runner to finish. His leg was bloody and bandaged and he grimaced with each step. He had severally injured his knee in a fall. He painfully hobbled around the 400 meter track. The remaining spectators rose and applauded the courage of this man as if he were a winner. After crossing the finish line, he walked off the field without turning to the cheering crowd. Later asked why he had not quit, since his task was so painful and he had no chance of winning a medal, he said: “My country did not send me 7000 miles to start the race. They sent me 7000 miles to finish it.”
Competition can be good. It helps us to strive to become better. But it can also become a weight around our neck when we begin compare ourselves to others or are unwilling to recognize and accept our limitations. I think the emphasis that Paul is making is on finishing. We all are winners in God's eyes when we cross that final finish line.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 The Message
[24] You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. [25] All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. [26] I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! [27] I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
Back in the 1980's and early 1990's I was an avid long distant road runner. I trained daily and ran in 5K and 10k road races weekly. I even ran in a marathon. I learned some valuable lessons from those earlier days that have guided me spiritually, also. Here's a few of those thoughts.
1. The Christian race is not a sprint. It isn't over in 10 seconds as is the 100 meter dash. It is more like a marathon. It's grueling. It's long. Therefore, pace your self for the long haul.
2. Because our Christian race is more like a marathon, we must learn to run our race at at a pace that is best for each individual. One of the things I learned was that I might do well in my age bracket, but there were always runners who could outrun me. I soon learned that it was more important to run against my personal best time than to run against the best of the best. Each time I tried to run against the best, I found myself doing poorly (time wise). I go home from the race frustrated and disappointed with myself. However, when I ran against my personal best time and beat it, I felt good about my accomplishment. I learned that it was more important to run against myself than to run against others in the race. In our Christian race we need to learn how to pace ourselves. We need to learn how to accept our limitations and learn to depend more on God in our weaknesses. It's not just about winning - its about finishing. We don't have to prove ourselves. It is God who validates who we are. Somebody will always be better than you.
At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, only a few thousand spectators remained in the stadium following the running of the marathon. It was more than an hour since the first three runners had finished. As these final spectators were leaving, they were suddenly aroused by the sound of sirens going off and policemen blowing their whistles. Confused, the spectators turned to look toward the entrance floor of the stadium. There entering the stadium came a lone figure wearing the colors of Tanzania. The runner's name was Steven Akhwari. He was the last runner to finish. His leg was bloody and bandaged and he grimaced with each step. He had severally injured his knee in a fall. He painfully hobbled around the 400 meter track. The remaining spectators rose and applauded the courage of this man as if he were a winner. After crossing the finish line, he walked off the field without turning to the cheering crowd. Later asked why he had not quit, since his task was so painful and he had no chance of winning a medal, he said: “My country did not send me 7000 miles to start the race. They sent me 7000 miles to finish it.”
Competition can be good. It helps us to strive to become better. But it can also become a weight around our neck when we begin compare ourselves to others or are unwilling to recognize and accept our limitations. I think the emphasis that Paul is making is on finishing. We all are winners in God's eyes when we cross that final finish line.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Some Awesome Twenty-Somethings
Jeanne & I with just a few of our awesome Gen X'ers!
Gen X'ers in the Word!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Amazing How Fast Time Goes By
The Psalmist wrote:
Ps 90:5-6 NIV
[5] You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning — [6] though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
Ps 103:15-16 NIV
[15] As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; [16] the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
Isa 40:6-8 NIV
[6] A voice says, "Cry out. "And I said, "What shall I cry? All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. [7] The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. [8] The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Wow, time flies by when you are having fun. It has been some time since I last wrote something on my blog. A lot has also happened. I was in meetings with our Presbytery for two days. They were good meetings as we interviewed five individuals for credentials as ministers in the our Fellowship. That is always exciting. I then had a lot correspondence to catch up on and phone calls to follow up on over the next three days. In between all this, I received notice that our General Superintendent, Thomas Trask, is stepping down as leader after having given 14 years to the Assemblies of God as its overseer. And then there is today, my 56th birthday.
This all brings me to the point of the Scriptures above. Life is short. Make the best of it. Do something that will make a difference in the world and in the Kingdom of God. Be a positive influence and impact lives of others in a positive way.
About a dozen twenty-something year olds showed up at the house last night with party hats and streamers to surprise and celebrate my birthday. As I listened to the chatter and laughter, I was struck by the thoughts of how fleeting life is and how important priorities are. Have a great day. I will.
Ps 90:5-6 NIV
[5] You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning — [6] though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
Ps 103:15-16 NIV
[15] As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; [16] the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
Isa 40:6-8 NIV
[6] A voice says, "Cry out. "And I said, "What shall I cry? All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. [7] The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. [8] The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Wow, time flies by when you are having fun. It has been some time since I last wrote something on my blog. A lot has also happened. I was in meetings with our Presbytery for two days. They were good meetings as we interviewed five individuals for credentials as ministers in the our Fellowship. That is always exciting. I then had a lot correspondence to catch up on and phone calls to follow up on over the next three days. In between all this, I received notice that our General Superintendent, Thomas Trask, is stepping down as leader after having given 14 years to the Assemblies of God as its overseer. And then there is today, my 56th birthday.
This all brings me to the point of the Scriptures above. Life is short. Make the best of it. Do something that will make a difference in the world and in the Kingdom of God. Be a positive influence and impact lives of others in a positive way.
About a dozen twenty-something year olds showed up at the house last night with party hats and streamers to surprise and celebrate my birthday. As I listened to the chatter and laughter, I was struck by the thoughts of how fleeting life is and how important priorities are. Have a great day. I will.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Understanding Our Spiritual Gifts
There is often a lot of confusion about Spiritual gifts and their use. A good starting point is looking at what the Scripture has to say. Too often, we rely on experience in trying to define, determine, and defend Spiritual gifts. Apparently this was a problem in Paul's day. The church in Corinth was struggling over the issue of Spiritual gifts and their proper use. I like how chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians begins in The Message:
"What I want to talk about now is the various ways God's Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable."
Study the Scriptures.
"What I want to talk about now is the various ways God's Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable."
Study the Scriptures.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Spiritual Gifts - Romans 12
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you" (Romans 12:3 NIV).
Sometimes we over estimate ourselves. At other times we under estimate ourselves. Paul instructs us to be balanced in our evaluation of who we are and the strengths (gifts) we have. We need to understand ourselves (how we are wired), but must do so carefully. I like how The Message reads: "The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him."
When it comes to our spiritual gifts that God has given us, we must remember that to be effective they must be used interdependently, not independently. Again, Paul wrote: "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us" (Romans 12:4-6 NIV).
What good is our toe if it is not attached to our body? What good would our thumb be if it were not attached to the hand? And what good is a hand if it is cut off and lying on the ground somewhere. So also our gifts. They are useless if not connected with the rest of the body of Christ (church).
Paul goes on to list some spiritual gifts in this passage in Romans 12. They are: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy.
Sometimes we over estimate ourselves. At other times we under estimate ourselves. Paul instructs us to be balanced in our evaluation of who we are and the strengths (gifts) we have. We need to understand ourselves (how we are wired), but must do so carefully. I like how The Message reads: "The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him."
When it comes to our spiritual gifts that God has given us, we must remember that to be effective they must be used interdependently, not independently. Again, Paul wrote: "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us" (Romans 12:4-6 NIV).
What good is our toe if it is not attached to our body? What good would our thumb be if it were not attached to the hand? And what good is a hand if it is cut off and lying on the ground somewhere. So also our gifts. They are useless if not connected with the rest of the body of Christ (church).
Paul goes on to list some spiritual gifts in this passage in Romans 12. They are: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy.
Monday, July 02, 2007
A Spirit-Filled Life
Well, vacation is over and I am rested and ready to face a new week. It started early this morning. I have been busy the past hour doing my email responses. Seems like a ton of them. I still have several to go but thought about a quick break to blog, since I even stayed away from that for a week. An not to mention my in file with a stack of paper to go through. Why is it that vacation gets you rested but when its over you have double the amount of work to do catching up? Doesn't seem fair does it?
This morning I was reading from 2 Timothy. Paul exhorted Timothy "to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you" (2 Timothy 1:6 NIV). Since I have begun a series on the Spirit Filled Life among a group of twenty somethings, this verse grabbed my attention. How often we allow the gift or gifts that God has given us to either grow cold or lay dormant in our lives. By doing so, we remain or become ineffective in life and in the church. God gives us gifts to be used for His glory. In a previous letter to Timothy, Paul had instructed this young man to "not neglect your gift, which was given you" (1 Timothy 4:14 NIV). Spiritual gifts are given to each and everyone of us for a purpose. Paul told the church in Ephesus that spiritual gifts are meant "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13 NIV).
A question that we need to be asking ourselves is, "What gifts have God blessed me with?" Another question we need to be asking "What am I doing with those gifts to glorify God and build up others?"
W.I. Evans wrote: "The need of the Pentecostal people is not primarily to pray for the gifts. Gifts are here. Our need is to seek God and press into God in living faith so that the gifts lying dormant, enough to set the world on fire, may come into exercise."
Have a great day! It's time for me to get back to catching up on my office work.
This morning I was reading from 2 Timothy. Paul exhorted Timothy "to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you" (2 Timothy 1:6 NIV). Since I have begun a series on the Spirit Filled Life among a group of twenty somethings, this verse grabbed my attention. How often we allow the gift or gifts that God has given us to either grow cold or lay dormant in our lives. By doing so, we remain or become ineffective in life and in the church. God gives us gifts to be used for His glory. In a previous letter to Timothy, Paul had instructed this young man to "not neglect your gift, which was given you" (1 Timothy 4:14 NIV). Spiritual gifts are given to each and everyone of us for a purpose. Paul told the church in Ephesus that spiritual gifts are meant "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13 NIV).
A question that we need to be asking ourselves is, "What gifts have God blessed me with?" Another question we need to be asking "What am I doing with those gifts to glorify God and build up others?"
W.I. Evans wrote: "The need of the Pentecostal people is not primarily to pray for the gifts. Gifts are here. Our need is to seek God and press into God in living faith so that the gifts lying dormant, enough to set the world on fire, may come into exercise."
Have a great day! It's time for me to get back to catching up on my office work.
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