Keep Pedaling

Posted: July 8, 2010 in growth, truth
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For years I’ve felt serious, concentrated frustration as I’ve watched people make decisions that will wreck their lives, especially in situations where we discussed it ahead of time.  As I was thinking about one particularly heartbreaking situation that’s currently playing out, I was struck with an epiphany that may finally help me pinpoint a reason (one of many, I’m sure) that I experience this.

As a pastor and counselor, it’s my job to provide spiritual direction for people.  To give them the guidance they need to make decisions that honor God and ultimately pay off, both in life and (more importantly) eternity.  In each situation I try to exegete and apply Biblical principles, along with what experience has taught me (both mine and others), and mix in a healthy dose of common sense.  I may not always succeed, but it’s my goal to provide a clear plan of action including specific steps whenever possible.  Sometimes they just need to hear from someone that has an outsider’s perspective of the issue they’re dealing with.  But no matter what, my responsibility starts and ends with providing direction.

But if you’re the one seeking guidance, whether from me or someone else, you have a responsibility that’s bigger than mine: you must provide the momentum to begin moving in the direction you’re given.  At some point it ceases to be a lack of knowing which direction to go and starts being a lack of movement in that direction.

I’ve spent countless hours grieving over other people’s decisions.  Sometimes I feel like I care more about their direction than they do.  And I’m not sure the hurting will end any time soon, because that’s what it means to be a pastor.  But it helps to identify where my responsibility ends, and theirs begins.

Look at it this way: if you want to ride your bike to Georgia I can point you in the right direction, give you a map, and explain in detail every road you’ll need to travel.  But I can’t pedal the thing for you.  In fact, if after all my research and explanations you’re still sitting at home, it’s probably safe to assume you didn’t really want to go in the first place.

Taking Breaks, part 5

Posted: July 6, 2010 in vacation
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When I first started at RidgePoint in 2002 (at the time it was “First Baptist Church”), the church had very little money to pay me with.  One of the things I negotiated with them was to have some added time off to make up for the missing salary dollars.  In hindsight it was one of the best decisions I’ve made and has defined both my ministry and my marriage.

The first and most immediate side effect I noticed was how clearly I was able to see the problems AND opportunities that lay before us.  I found that each time my wife & I drove away for a few days I could almost feel the issues shrinking in size and scope.  I felt like being several hundred miles away enabled me to see the big picture better.  I usually returned from vacation with new insights or ideas about how to do ministry differently, and better.  In fact, every major change we’ve made at Ridgepoint Church had a “moment” tied to it – and the moment always happened during a trip with my wife.

If you’re facing a significant problem, decision, or opportunity, let me encourage you to get away for a couple days and spend some time praying about it.  Take some key books or articles with you.  Listen to some refreshing music (Bob Marley does the trick for me).  Do whatever it takes to put some time and distance between yourself and it.  You may discover your energy – and the answers you’re looking for – are easier to find the further away you get.

Putting some time & distance between you and your job/calling/home will give you a new perspective on what’s important – and what isn’t.

Taking Breaks, part 4

Posted: July 5, 2010 in vacation
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We’re continuing last week’s series of posts on the importance of taking time to rest.

One of the most deadly thought patterns I’ve had to correct over the years was the idea that when I’m away from my job and relaxing with my family, I’m not being productive.

In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.  Not only is God able to accomplish big things in my absence, but time spent with my family (and even enjoying his creation) honors him.  God made me more than a leader and pastor; in fact, those aren’t even my primary roles.  As a Christ-follower first and foremost, and as a husband and father, taking time to focus on and enjoy these roles is part of my stewardship over the blessings God has given me.

We need to redefine what it means to be “productive”: sometimes enjoying the blessings of God and renewing ourselves mentally, emotionally & spiritually is the most productive thing we can do.

Sunday Rewind

Posted: July 5, 2010 in church life, end of the week
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Since I am on vacation, Chris Neff – Director of Connections & Family Groups is doing the weekly rewind for me.  Here is his guest post.

Hope you had a Happy Independence Day!  I did – that’s why this is so late.  I spent the afternoon and evening hanging with family.

I love Independence Day!   How can you not when you live in this country?  I know we do a lot of cookouts and fireworks on this day, but it is also the day we celebrate our Declaration of Independence.  Timm challenged us to read this historical document about a month ago, but in case you haven’t done it yet, go here to read it.  Read it aloud – it was written to be read to large groups of people.  Also, check out this cool, recent discovery.

The band was phenomenal today!  In a surprise opening to the 9:00 service, Jordon Wilkins led us in an a cappella version of The Star Spangled Banner.  It wasn’t the best version I’ve ever heard, but as a group we could open an MLB game if needed.  (BTW – We’re never sure what’s going to happen when we put Jordon on stage behind a microphone.)

It was great to see Justin Whatley on the bass today.  We’ve wanted to make that happen for awhile.

The 10:30 service missed out on the national anthem, because we had to save time for a baptism.  A young man named Israel is starting his journey as a Christ-follower and wanted to share his decision with RPC.  We are up to 12 baptisms since Easter and we have another planned next week.

We started a new series today called “Four on Four.”  Personally, I think we should’ve called it “Four by Four” in honor of living in Polk County.  But seriously, the premise is four guys sharing four truths they think RPC needs to hear.

J.J. Gawlowicz kicked off the series.  He threw down by reminding us of the most important truth – God’s love is not performance based.  Here is some of what he had to say:

  • “The other guys speaking in this series are smarter than me or funnier than me, but I am the best looking.”
  • “None of us likes to be judged, so why do we judge ourselves?”
  • “Our identity is not in what we do, but in whose we are.” Rick Warren via Twitter
  • Titus 3:3-7
  • “God loves us so much, he wants to buy us back with the redemption of his son.”
  • Ephesians 1:7
  • “Your net worth does not determine your self-worth.”
  • Philippians 3:12
  • “You have to stop letting your past dictate your future.”
  • “There is nothing special about Timm or me or any of the other guys who will get up and speak.  The only thing special is what God is doing in and through our lives.”
  • “God is telling us to stop doing and start being.”

The RPC version of VBS is going to be August 2nd- 6th in the evenings.  We need volunteers to help. Please email pam@ridgepointchurch.org  if you are interested in helping.

Fairway to Heaven, our 2nd annual golf tournament to raise funds to help provide school supplies for low income families in our community will be held August 14th.  This year’s tournament will be held at Willowbrook Golf Course.  The cost is $75 per golfer or $275 for a foursome.  If you are interested in playing or would like to volunteer to help, please email pam@ridgepointchurch.org.

I hope you found this rewind helpful.  I better go now since I used the phrase “there is nothing special about Timm” on his own blog and got to blame it on J.J.  Somehow I think my password privileges might get revoked.

Until next time (if there is a next time),

Chris

Taking Breaks, part 3

Posted: July 2, 2010 in vacation
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Perhaps the most unexpected benefit I found in scheduling periodic time away was how much more efficient I was when I returned.  There’s something about distancing yourself from everything that enables you to see it more clearly (more on this later).  Over the course of a year I can accomplish more working 50 weeks & resting 2 than I can working all 52.  This makes no sense to me, and I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.

Every job or responsibility can slowly become a “grind” if you don’t rest periodically.  There’s a parable about two woodcutters who were competing to see who could cut the most wood.  One worked tirelessly while the other was seen sitting down from time to time.  In the end the one who rested cut significantly more wood than the one who worked non-stop.  The loser couldn’t believe it and asked the winner, “How did you beat me?  I saw you sitting down several times while I was still cutting.”  The winner replied, “Yes, but what you couldn’t see was that every time I sat I was sharpening my axe.”

Over the long haul, you’ll be able to accomplish more if from time to time you make it your goal to accomplish less.

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