Gethsemane Experiences

My meditation this week focused on how our Lord suffered alone after the apostles had fallen asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane. From my own experiences, I have come to believe that in many instances others cannot respond, and perhaps should not. This is not to imply that others cannot give us help when needed, or that they lack training in their professional roles. Many I have gone to for help have been of great assistance including my Southeast Regional Director and his wife.
Nevertheless, there are those moments when God would rather have us lean on and learn from Him. This has proven true in my own experience and for other individuals as well. Gethsemane has names such as death, failure, loneliness, illness or losses. However, God wants us to see it as Gethsemane and remember that it was at Gethsemane where your pain and questions were transformed into growth and glory through supernatural strength through prayer and the presence of God.

User-friendly

John MacArthur wrote, “If you want to know how user-friendly a church has become, the emphasis, or de-emphasis, on biblical preaching is the yardstick. A church that buys into the new paradigm sidelines provocative and convicting sermons for music, skits, or videos– less confrontational mediums for conveying the message. Even when there is a sermon, it is frequently psychological and motivational rather than biblical. Above all, entertainment value and user-friendliness are paramount.”
It is said that Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman told of a distinguished minister, Dr. Howard, from Australia who preached very strongly on the subject of sin. After the service, one of the church officers came to counsel with him in the study. "Dr. Howard," he said, "we don't want you to talk as openly as you do about man's guilt and corruption, because if our boys and girls hear you discussing that subject they will more easily become sinners. Call it a mistake if you will, but do not speak so plainly about sin. "The minister took down a small bottle and showing it to the visitor and said, "You see that label? It says strychnine -- and underneath in bold, red letters the word 'Poison!' Do you know, man, what you are asking me to do? You are suggesting that I change the label. Suppose I do, and paste over it the words, 'Essence of Peppermint'; don't you see what might happen? Someone would use it, not knowing the danger involved, and would certainly die. So it is, too, with the matter of sin. The milder you make your label, the more dangerous you make your poison!"

Testing the faith

Christians are called to labour in a unique way for the Lord, but are we sensitive to His calling, or are we too concerned only with our own affairs? Giving out Gospel tracts becomes a federal case: 67-year-old man jailed 2 days for violating 'parade' ordinance - WorldNetDaily

Pressured to cover up

When the weather warms up, the clothing at church gets skimpier. Pop stars that visit Muslim-majority Malaysia are facing growing pressure to keep skimpy outfits and steamy dance moves off the stage during their concerts. Malaysia’s government guidelines for public performances require a female artist to cover up from the top of her chest to her knees, including her shoulders.
Modesty is a natural tendency to guard what is most personal and demands a delicate education. Modesty is not the result of social conditioning we do not have to be liberated from it. By teaching our children not to be dishonest we are not in any way restricting their freedom or traumatizing them. We are helping them to learn right from wrong. In the same way a child needs to be educated in modesty."Why can't the Church at least try to reclaim modesty as a virtue? I came across an article by Barbara Kay; she expressed exactly how I feel about the issue.

Faith or laziness

I heard about a man who bought an expensive automobile he couldn't afford because he said the Lord would come before the first payment was due and he wouldn't have to pay anything.
In verse 11 of I Thessalonians 5, Paul specifies the problem. "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies." Some members of the church of Thessalonica were guilty of laziness. They were not working. I think one of the reasons why this kind of problem arose is because some of them mistook the meaning of the second coming of the Lord as an excuse for them to lay aside their labor and not be faithful in their work.
One of the things you will find in the Bible is that the Christian life is a very down-to-earth faith. It is a very down-to-earth way of living your life. It deals with practical matters. It deals with subjects that are very, very important. The Scriptures make it very clear that laziness should never be a part of a Christian's life. A Christian should not be a lazy individual.

Name it and claim it

In three of the Gospels, Jesus warns that each of his disciples may have to "deny himself" and "take up his Cross." "For what profit is it to a man," he asks, "if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" It is one of the New Testament's hardest teachings, yet generations of church goers have understood that being Christian, on some level, means being ready to sacrifice--money or even their lives. "Prosperity" first blazed to public attention as the drive shaft in the money making machine that was the 1980s televangelism and faded from mainstream view with scandals. But now, after some key modifications, it has not only recovered but is booming.

When the salt loses its savor

Who should I blame when the salt lose its savor? Posted 8/13/07.

God Is Not Responsible

I came across this article “God Is Not Responsible” and I thought about Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Read Philippians Chapter 4). Paul begins by saying, "Now Philippians, I want you to understand. Things are not what they seem to be. Imagine a prisoner, soon to be tried for his life, should not only rejoice but encourage others to rejoice.
Paul understood that there is a difference between "joy" and "happiness." A person can be happy and not have real joy. A person can have joy but not really be happy. Happiness depends on circumstances and happenings! If things go well, I can be happy! If things do not go well, there goes my happiness! JOY does not depend on circumstances, JOY depends on the LORD, and He never changes! Even though Paul’s circumstances were terrible (he was a prisoner!), he could rejoice.
We cannot always count on things happening the way we would like them to happen, but we can always count on God being God no matter what happens. Suppose you get in your car to drive to the beach and 10 miles from home you get into a minor accident and end up spending the whole day in the repair shop. Does this mean God has changed? Have God’s promises changed? Is God able to teach you and bless you in the middle of these circumstances?

Show me the evidence

This morning during my devotion, I prayed for my unchurched friends, one particular person came to mind. He shared with me that he was now an atheist. Although we had numerous discussions on theology, personal testimonies and sermons, he saw no evidence of the existence of God.
Just once wouldn't you love for someone to simply show you the evidence for God's existence? No arm-twisting. Other friends who are devout, practicing Christians refused to engage in arguments over faith because they understand that faith is ... faith. You either believe or you do not.
For example, Saint Thomas Aquinas (also Thomas of Aquin, or Aquino. 1225 – 7 March1274) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest in the Order of Preachers, a philosopher and theologian in the scholastic tradition. He tried to argue logically the existence of God. It was his life's work, and it didn't work. It didn't work because this is either something you feel within you, or it is not. Faith is ... faith.

I am who I am

Keep your guard up. Don't let people know the real you. Dress the part. Act the part. Play the role. Talk the part. People want to see you as better than the average person. Church members want to believe your marriage is always strong, your faith never falters, and you are virtually without sin. Does this sound logical to you?
But I am a regular, scared, insecure, everyday guy whose life had been touched by Jesus. I am a full-time follower of Christ who happened to be a part-time pastor. No make-believe. No posing. No playing games. I am who I am. God called me to be like Christ.

Off the pulpit

It's Saturday. I started the day with my personal devotion then a few hours preparing for Sunday's service. To wind down, I conduct devotion for older parishioners at their assisted living home.
Finally, it's 2:45pm so I proceeded on to my other job as a security supervisor, not before praying with another parishioner. As a part-time pastor I spend far more work hours off the pulpit than on.

Part-time pastor juggles to fill church

A bivocational minister can be a lot of things, but he can’t be lazy. I decided a long time ago that faith without works is dead you get out of it what you put into it.
When a hectic schedule is added to the demands of work and family, the results can be a task even to the hardiest person. I work a 40-hour week (evenings) as a security supervisor, sometimes sandwiching Sunday services with a brief nap in between before gong to my secular job. On top of that, I preside over Tuesday night Bible study and Saturday evening seniors’ devotion.
I always have my cell phone in case my congregants need me. It is not easy but it works most of the time. My days are often spent making calls or ministering to parishioners in crisis.
To succeed, yes, you must be an inspiring speaker and love people. But you should also be an inspiring human being–able to motivate people to be their best selves, even in crisis. Surprisingly, what’s required is an unquestioning faith in God.

War on Iraq

Polls suggest that Americans are frustrated with Mr. Bush's "surge" strategy and favor a draw down of forces. According to a Gallup Poll last week, 71 percent favor a proposal to remove almost all US troops from Iraq by April 2008, leaving a limited number of troops for counter terror efforts. But there remains a partisan divide. The same poll found that 54 percent of Republicans opposed the idea. It's this division that Congress appears to be reflecting. While most lawmakers oppose the administration's current strategy, they have not come to a consensus over the alternative.
All night debate fails to halt war. President George Bush's Republicans have blocked a Democratic plan to withdraw United States combat troops from Iraq by the end of April 2008 to cap a rare round-the-clock US Senate debate. Is the war with Iraq morally justifiable?
I found this at the Our Lutheran Redeemer Church (of Lexington, KY) website, you can read the full article here.The Christian View of War:
Can War Ever be Just? (With Thoughts About the War in Iraq)
By Dr. Richard P. Bucher
It was the great church father Augustine of Hippo who first sought to give some specificity to a definition of a just war. In fact, his position, which he articulated in the early Fifth Century, has long been the Church’s traditional definition of a just war. Augustine held that a just war must have five components. A just war:
(1) Must be waged for self-defense, rather than conquest, plunder, or political oppression;
(2) Must be initiated by the proper authority, i.e., lawful government, rather than an angry mob, etc.
(3) Must be fought with the right intention: peace. It should not be fought to gain land, power, wealth, etc.
(4) Must have a reasonable chance for success.
(5) Must use means proportionate to the goal. If the goal of a war is to liberate an oppressed people, for example, it makes no sense to destroy all their cities in the process, or to bring them under further subjection.
Where does the major religious denomination stand on war with Iraq? Where does your religious denomination stand?

Overwhelm By Stress

The running around between my domestic life, secular job, being the pastor of a newly planted church and the moment to moment changes had piled up and I felt overwhelmed. Today I reflect on the nature of God and humbly admitted my weakness. This allowed me to received much needed consolation. Only when we are able to be comforted in our distress about life can we return to life's demands refreshed, and with something to give.
I believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit guarantee every hopeful, trusting and limited heart will be received by the Father and restored by the Spirit of Christ. We are assured that we will be given what we need to be secure. This will steady us and give us the freedom to enrich the world.

Unfortunate Status

According to the Roman Catholic relief organization Caritas, the number of Christians in Iraq had plummeted to 25,000. The Greek Orthodox archbishop in Jerusalem, where only 12,000 Christians remain, is pleading with his followers not to leave. "We have to persevere," says Theodosios Atallah Hanna. "How can the land of Jesus Christ stay without Christians?" The proportion of Christians in Bethlehem, once 85 percent, is now 20 percent. Egypt's Coptic Christians, who trace the roots of their faith back to Saint Mark's preaching in the first century, used to account for 10 percent of their country's population. Now they've dwindled to an estimated 6 percent.
What are the Christians of the world doing for the place of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Which is the true Church

THE Vatican sought overnight to downplay a document claiming the Roman Catholic Church was the "one true Church of Christ" after it provoked outrage among other Christian faiths.

But according to the Encyclopedia of American Religions which 1 lists 1,588 religious denominations, sects, faith groups, organizations, etc. Most are currently operating in North America; a few are defunct but have been recently active. The vast majority of them consider themselves to be Christian. Some of these groups believe that they are the only true Christian church. But how does one find out which denomination really is? Some possibilities:

• Perhaps one of them is the true church.
• Perhaps none of them are. All of the Christian denominations may have strayed so far from Jesus' original intent, that all may be deeply flawed.
• Perhaps many faith groups are different manifestations of the true church - even though their rituals and practices differ.
• Perhaps a historical faith group, now defunct, was the rightful owner of that title. There have been a lot of religious genocides down through the ages, perpetrated by which ever religious group was in power.
• Perhaps Jesus did not intend to found a church at all; in that case, there has never been a true church.

Increasing Church Growth and Income 2 x 2

David Hayward pastor of a Vineyard Church in Rothesay, New Brunswick, Canada insists, you can’t embrace the reality of the cross and pursue the security of success at the same time. He also said that he could increase the attendance at his church as well as the giving. He came up with a rather cynical list of 10 things you could do to achieve better attendance and giving:

1. Don’t allow people to participate in the worship band or any other prominent, visible ministry who don’t have excellent attendance and who don’t tithe.
2. Befriend the good, consistent supporters and avoid those who aren’t these things. Everyone wants to be in the inner circle.
3. Reward those who give with frequent public recognition and praise.
4. Teach that giving to the church is what gets God acting on our behalf.
5. Always concoct the impression that something great is just about to happen so that the level of anticipation keeps people coming, expecting the special event to happen at anytime. Keep the excitement level high and eliminate the darker realities of human emotions from the service.
6. Sow the idea that going to church whenever it is open is the same as being the church.
7. Never be afraid to use fear or guilt as a motivator for beneficial results. You must realize that these are the greatest causes for seeing almost immediately the effects you want.
8. Blame sin for the reason why people don’t advance in the church. This creates the idea that perfection is what produces promotion.
9. Use incentives such as fund-raisers, pledge campaigns, bake-sales, auctions… anything that will fondle money out of people who normally wouldn’t let go of it so easily.
10. Brand and market yourself and your church as wealthy, successful and positive, then play the part yourself. This will create the ethos of prosperity and success that attracts money.

Maybe you have some suggestions of your own?

Increasing Church Growth and Income 1 x 2

George Barna's research indicates that 7% of the unchurched plan to attend church this year. If churches were consistently giving a midweek or weekend night to Jesus, we could see 90% of them stay. At least 5% of the unchurched would come into the church each year. Another 33% of the unchurched are open to attending church. The most likely thing to attract them is the invitation of a friend. When they do come, we need to have a strategy to get them to stick. Rick Warren says, "For your church to grow you must be nice to people when they show up.

Prayer Request

Submit a prayer request below and hundreds will pray with you right now.

Church Marketing

Marketing a Church Plant
Ridge Stone Church in Canton, Ga., has launched Ridge Stone Backstage, a blog to share some of the lessons they've learned as a church plant that held their first service in August 2004. Pastor Gary Lamb (you may remember him for only freaking out a few people during his Buzz Conference panel) shares some of the marketing techniques they used prior to launch:
Cover & two-page article in local direct-mail magazine.
Partnered with the city to provide the entertainment (concerts/ inflatables) for a big car show.
Invite cards.
10,000 door hangers.
Huge neon yellow banners.
Press release that was picked up by local newspapers.
T-shirts their people wore all over town.
Lamb reports they did all of this for less than the cost of a single direct mail campaign. They had about 200 new people show up at the opening service.

Hope Open Bible of Orlando Starting Plan
The following is a sketch plan of a church start in the neighborhoods of Windermere, Winter Garden and Stoneybrook, the city limits of Orlando, Florida. It is not intended to be a rigid plan, but just an idea of direction. As God blesses and leads, plans will change to follow His desire for Hope Open Bible Of Orlando. We believe that as God’s Spirit is present in this process there will be many changes. Some things will go faster, others slower. The purpose of this outline is to provide a place to start and a direction in which to proceed. As He leads, we will follow His direction.
Neighborhoods
The city of Orlando has 115 neighborhoods in the city limits.
The target areas as of the census of 2000, there were 185,951 people, 80,883 households, and 42,382 families residing in the city. The population density was 767.9/km² (1,988.9/mi²). There were 88,486 housing units at an average density of 365.4/km² (946.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.10% White 26.70% African American, 2.90% Asian, 0.34% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.41% from other races, and 2.54% from two or more races. 17.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [Total is greater than 100% because Hispanics may be of any race.] The city has large Puerto Rican, Colombian, Haitian Vietnamese communities (among others), and a growing number of Russian and British (mostly English) residents.
There were 80,883 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.6% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,732, and the median income for a family was $40,648. Males had a median income of $30,866 versus $25,267 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,216. 15.9% of the population and 13.3% of families were below the poverty line. 27.0% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Like fellow Florida cities Miami and Tampa, Orlando has a large and increasing number of Hispanic residents living in the city. Orlando is home to one of the nation's largest Puerto Rican communities. This is reflected by the abundance of Hispanic-themed restaurants and radio stations. Spanish-language music, such as reggaeton, is common on Orlando radio stations. The Orlando Magic basketball team is the only team in the NBA to have a Latin Night, which is geared towards the Hispanic population in the area. Throughout the city, many Puerto Rican flags can be found on or near buildings, including car dealerships. The city's local newspaper, The Orlando Sentinel, publishes a weekly all-Spanish newspaper called El Sentinel.
Orlando has an equally large African-American population. The city is located within six miles of Eatonville, Florida, the first all-black town to be incorporated in the United States.
Orlando is also becoming popular with Russian immigrants seeking careers or relocating their families to warmer climates. That growth rate of Russians in Central Florida is second only to the rising Hispanic population. The Russian community, made up of several countries of the former Soviet Union, has the Russian language as their common bond. Community and cultural groups are growing in popularity as is the number of Russian-American marriages.
The diversifying economy has led to an incredibly low unemployment rate in Greater Orlando of 3.4% as of September 2005. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 2005) The result is explosive growth that has led to urban sprawl in the surrounding area and skyrocketing housing prices. Housing prices in Greater Orlando went up 34% in one year, from an average of $182,000 in August 2004 to $245,000 in August 2005. (Source: Orlando Regional Realtor Association)
Church Start
The church start will have no core group and one will need to be developed over the first few months. There are benefits to starting without a core group. Previous experience has shown that the core group often leaves quickly when the new pastor arrives (particularly if they were there a long time before the pastor). However, when the new pastor gathers around him people who share the vision, they tend to stay.
A core group can be developed using a community wide survey and mailing lists of residents as well as newcomers to the community. Mailing lists will be followed up by personal phone calls and additional mailings.
It is our intention to solicit financial resources, equipment, and manpower from friends and partners of Hope Open Bible of Orlando.
Below is a strategy based on the available information, projected resources, and strengths/weaknesses of the planting team. The strategy will need to be changed over time to accommodate the evolving situation, but it provides a blueprint and measurable goals over the first 18 months.
July 2006 - October 2006 (Preparation)
During the initial months of preparation, the central focus will be upon developing a core. Direct mail and door-to-door visits will build small groups aimed at the target.
Small group meetings will be an ongoing process throughout the preparation stage. As these grow, new leaders from among the harvest will be trained to lead new groups. The goal is to produce a strong core of leadership. As the core develops, training for childcare, set-up/take-down, and leadership will take place.
Checklist for Preparation Stage
Personal Preparation
_____ Assessment complete and conditions accomplished
Family Preparation
_____ Spouse on board with Planting Strategy
_____ Spouse Role Determined
Strategic Preparation
Pre-Launch strategies designed for………
_____ Personal Evangelism
_____ Understanding the target
_____ Neighborhood events
_____ Personal follow-up
_____ Pioneer family worship and teaching meetings
_____ Construction Crew recruiting
_____ Construction Crew training workshops
_____ Construction Crew planning meetings
_____ Construction Crew retreat
October 2006-December 2006
Small groups will continue to meet, and training will be held for ushers and greeters. Two months prior to launch there will be a preview worship service preceded by a 10,000-piece mailing. During the final month before launch, a high quality 15,000-piece mailing will be sent to the target group.
Checklist for Pre-Launch/Preview Stage
Evangelism
_____ System for meeting people
_____ Listening survey system
_____ Neighborhood events
_____ Methods for sharing the gospel
Fellowship
_____ Church social events
_____ Pioneer Family
_____ Crew membership processes designed
Discipleship
_____ New Christian follow-up system installed
Service
_____ Personalized training process
Worship
_____ Enlistment and training system for worship related teams
_____ Advertising strategy designed
_____ Place for preview secured
_____ Date for previews set
January 2007-April 2007 (Launch)
The Grand Opening (Launch) will be held in April 2007. It will be a seeker-oriented service led by a worship team. Contemporary music, professionalism, and an atmosphere that is friendly, while preserving the anonymity desired by the target group, will be key emphases. Every active small group member will be involved in the service, dividing between children's programs, usher/greeter, assimilation, financial, and worship. Every attendee will fill out a registration form so that the prospect list can be updated.
Checklist for Launch
Worship
_____ Seeker service previews
_____ Seeker service
Evangelism
_____ Seeker service previews
_____ Seeker service
_____ Holiday Services
Fellowship
_____ Membership processes
_____ Small Group Incubator
_____ Communication System
_____ Children's Classes
Service
_____ Pre-training
_____ Leadership community
May 2007 - July 2007 (Crowd to Core)
Follow-up will begin immediately after the first service. Letter, phone, or personal visit will contact all guests. During this time the assimilation processes will begin to operate and will be based upon the assimilation plan including classes aimed at moving people from the crowd to the core. This process will be ongoing as the church continues to reach out to the community. The initial members class, will be required for membership and is intended to help the crowd discover church membership, including beginning a relationship with Christ. Following members move on to deeper areas of commitment, including spiritual maturity, ministry, and mission.
Checklist for Crowd to Core
_____ Friend day
_____ Holiday services
_____ Bringers equipping
_____ Life plan process
_____ Church Planting Strategy
Fellowship
_____ Small Groups
_____ Group leader training
_____ Group leader coaching
_____ Group multiplication process
Discipleship
_____ Additional classes designed
_____ SHAPE interview process
Worship
_____ Second service plan
August 2007 - December 2007 (Evangelism and Growth)
This will be a recognized time of evangelistic outreach and spiritual maturity. A detailed strategy for this time is underway.