We NEED each other!

Today, our church staff participated in a workshop which was designed to teach us about how we communicate. As with any staff, corporate or otherwise, we are comprised of VERY unique individuals. I'd be lying if I said that we all ALWAYS got along, or that we are even able to completely tolerate one another.

So, we participated in an "Insights" development session. We learned about our communication methods, what we are good at, what we need to work on individually, and how to best communicate with others who have different strengths and weaknesses. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I took away from this session. We often hear someone say "there are no bad ideas/questions", but my cynical mind always adds in "yeah, but there are stupid people with bad ideas/questions!" ;)

After reading about my own strengths and weaknesses, it became more apparent to me that I need everyone else on staff. Those other staff members whom I don't always agree with are necessary to provide things to the congregation in the name of Christ which I don't have the skills to do. I left our meeting with high hopes that I would be more open minded to different communication styles. I am certainly not better than others...just different.

I was struck especially by a comment provided by the leader of the session...She very briefly remarked that Jesus' disciples were (paraphrased) a rag-tag, seemingly thrown together bunch of folk who might not always have gotten along or even associated with each other had it not been for Jesus.

So I ask you today, WHO ARE YOU SICK OF?!?! Is there someone in your life, in your home, in your church who is driving you UP THE WALL?! Do you feel like your life would be easier if they were just OUT of the PICTURE for a little while. OBVIOUSLY, no good can come from their presence any longer. Trust me...I've got a few of them too.

But today, reflecting more on the example of Christ, I'm working to see them as different, imperfect just as I am, but different reflections of Christ. The way that I relate to people, the way I write a blog, the way I understand Christ is NOT the way everyone sees it. It is impossible for me to communicate perfectly with everyone, hence I need help spreading the message of Christ. Jesus is the ultimate "communication seminar leader"...he is the guide which we should follow. If we follow his example, we can be confident that in our own ways (and in whatever rag-tag assembly of people we are a part of) we will be affecting and impacting people for His glory.

With what is left of this week, might we turn our differences into opportunities to reach more people for Jesus? I am not very organized. I need someone to help me reach people for Christ who think I am an unorganized lunatic! The person best equipped to reach others today might be the same person I just CAN'T STAND right now because they are so anal about X/Y or Z.

Embrace your differences today. Embrace the idea that while you have gifts, you also have weaknesses. We need each other, created by both genetics and all of our unique life experiences, to reach the world for Jesus. Too often we sit back and watch (or participate with) each other; moaning and groaning about which group is better/worse/smarter/has a bigger budget/gets more publicity/has a better leader. INSTEAD we should look for opportunities to serve where we have been gifted and where we are needed. Then, encourage others to serve in their own way...according to their gifts and graces.

I need you today. I am not equipped to reach some of you, some of your friends, some of the people in your neighborhood. I am imperfect, and while my personality profile said I'm outgoing, its not an "outgoing" that everyone will love. My personality profile said that my "personality" is engaging to some, but turns others off because it is too "outgoing". That is why I need you...why we need each other.

Most importantly, that is why Jesus needs whoever you are, whatever your personality profile shows, to reach out and serve with your gifts today.

REALLY STUPID BLOG today...but I enjoyed the session. If you ever have an opportunity to do a "communications" learning session with your staff/friends/church family, I strongly recommend it.

I'll be blogging tomorrow on my sermon for the weekend. Until then, I'll be praying for you. Would you do the same for me?

woah...didn't expect to see you here?

(preface)

I work for a church. Within the last year and a half, our church has expanded to 3 sites. I am the site director at one of these 3 sites, the Christian Life Center (CLC). It is a multipurpose facility that uses a "gym" as both a worship and recreation space. Our vision statement is to "involve people in a transformational relationship with Jesus Christ through sports, recreation, and fitness ministries."

When the site was being planned/first opened, as with any new endeavor, not everyone thought it was the best idea...one of many (well intentioned) concerns was that a facility such as the CLC would only be catering to only one group of people...that it was going to be a place ONLY for young people.

(preface concluded!)

I left work for a meeting yesterday to see over 30 cars in the parking lot at the CLC. If you are new to church, 30 cars in the parking lot on a Monday morning at 10:00am typically means there is a funeral. But there was no funeral at the CLC. Instead, there were about 50 people inside for a "S.E.T." Fitness class. (Seniors Exercising Together) I stopped and reflected on this simple observation...

Less than a year ago, who would have thought that we'd be using this space on a Monday morning for fitness classes...for SENIORS...in a building which some were concerned was built just for "young people".

I smiled, got in my car, and was extremely excited. I was excited that people (members and non-members of the church) were using our church to fellowship and experience God. I was excited that I had met so many new FRIENDS through the S.E.T. group. I was excited that our mission was working.

God was working...and in simple ways, in simple activities, and in places we might not have predicted. We offer more than just fitness classes at the CLC, but who would have thought our most popular fitness ministry would be a twice a week S.E.T. class? Admittedly, not even me...

So I got to thinking...where else is God ready to WORK that I am ignoring because of perception...where else is God ready to be made apparent that we are forgetting because we assume that God has no plans to be involved there?

...because that building is obviously just for young people, because that skate park is obviously just for kids skipping school, because that mall is just full of people who have no where else to go on a hot summer day, because the people in this neighborhood are too rich/poor/white/black/etc to think about God...

Today...I believe in my SOUL that as you read this blog, TODAY Christ is WAITING for you in unexpected places.

I can't remember (I should look before I type!) any place in the Bible where Jesus says "You know what, I'm only where you take me. I only exist in places where you have decided to say my Name outloud". RATHER, I think the exact opposite is true. Christ is sitting in the neighborhood you are scared to drive through, Christ is hanging out in the mall, Christ is outside the nightclub, Christ is inside the bar, Christ is at your dinner table, Christ is inside the building which was "just for young people" waiting for you to POINT HIM OUT! You aren't taking the gospel to them...I believe the TRUTH WAS IN THE BEGINNING and IS TO COME! GOD has been, and always will be. I think GOD IS ALREADY THERE, and we're just pointing to the gospel which we are blessed to know exists...

It is my job, it is YOUR JOB to point out the elephant/gorilla/SAVIOR in the room. "Hey, Jesus is real...oh yeah, and he's ready to be talked about and affect your life right here, right now".

This random collection of thoughts was intended to imply that even in places you LEAST EXPECT HIM, Christ is waiting for you to say His name...Jesus is here. He wants to talk. He wants to be a part of your life. He is ready to bridge the gap between where you are, and where He IS...between lost and found...

...between the "building for the young" and the "old".

I couldn't have been more excited on Monday that 50 of God's children (who just happen to be between 20 and 50+ years OLDER than me) were participating in a ministry...learning about themselves, fitness, and God all in a place where we dared to think that God had no intentions of talking to them...

God is working!...right in front of you...offering you opportunities to SERVE OTHERS, and indeed to be SERVED...don't turn away from serving or receiving simply based on the "location".

I'll be praying for you right now. Will you do the same for me?

...called to serve...

Notice, the title of this blog isn't "called to blog"!

I recently took an unintentional break from my short foray into blogging. 85% of the reason (don't you just LOVE STATS!!) I took a break was that I simply forgot to blog. (oops) The other 15% was because when I did remember to blog, I felt that had nothing profound to say.

WHAT A MISTAKE! I apologize. (before you think I've taken a head-first dive into an ocean of narcissism, hang on for a few more paragraphs...)

(I started this blog to accompany sermons which I was giving at the church. It was nice to have an outlet to talk about things which came to my mind during the sermon writing process...I really didn't think anyone would read it, or CONTINUE TO PESTER ME when I stopped writing) :)

What do YOU do when you realize someone is listening to you? More often than not, it causes me to think more about what I say. As I've grown in my role here at the church, I find myself fighting to stay 'relevant'. I find myself fighting to always have a 'home-run' message. I can't afford to only hit a "home-run" in my messages 2/3 out for 4 times in a month...at least in my mind. Quite frankly, who knows if I've ever even hit a single?! :) I know that on my own I've barely got enough strength to complete a bunt, and it is God who really drives in the runs.

Where I'm headed is this...I have been called to serve my God. I have been called to attempt to be TRANSPARENT and allow God to preach a message through me that an audience of 1, 2, 500 people might hear it an consider following Christ more consistently. With that comes a definable amount of pressure to complete that call...what if I don't say it right?

That being said, WHAT A MISTAKE it has been to fool myself into actually believing that I have nothing profound to say?!

Jesus loves you. Jesus died for you. Jesus needs nothing from you other than a gift of exactly who you are right now. Let Him transform you from the inside out. Listen to the voice which has been calling out to you. Do not ignore His call today. Love the Lord your God, serve each other as if you were taking care of yourself, and share the good news AS it is transforming you. Christ in you has the power to reshape the world around you! Answer the call.

A popular saying around the Iowa United Methodist Church is "be encouraged". I'll hit that one in a later blog. Instead, what I would extend to you today (simply as a humble follower of Christ) is to "be called". "BE" - as in its definition "to equal in meaning".

You need not wait for Christ's call. BE called. You have been called by Christ to serve...BECOME THAT CALL. Become a reflection of Jesus and His love for this world.

For the 3 of you who read this blog (I know 2 of you... :) ), I'll be more faithful to my call within the context of this blog. I'm also hoping to start a podcast with a very intelligent colleague of mine which I hope will be a reflection of a passion we have to connect the raw gospel with our time.

The most profound thought I have...the most AMAZING thing I know...Jesus loves you.

If you haven't ever considered just how PROFOUND that is, join me in BEING called.

I'll be praying for you this week. Would you do the same for me?