I've read some good books lately....
I've read some good books in the last month or
so: Steve Sjogren's
The Perfectly Imperfect Church, Bill Hybel's
Courageous Leadership, and Michael Slaughter's
Unlearning Church.
I always like to read Steve Sjogren's stuff.
Steve is the launching pastor of Vineyard Community Church. His efforts at "servant
evangelism" and his willingness to share his ideas, have given a number
of church leaders a simple way to express the love of Christ in their
communities. A few years ago, when I was really having a tough time
personally I heard Steve speak at a conference. His topic "Six things I
learned when I almost died." I can't remember the six things right this
second, but I do remember that I was impacted by the idea that we should do
the tasks that God has put in front of us. For me, at that time, my ministry
tasks were to be the defense attorney for the skating ministry at the
Ranch, and
Next-Wave web magazine. Steve's book is refreshingly simple and practical, a
must read for church planters.
One of the things I read between the lines of
Bill Hybels' book is that leading a megachurch and an association of
churches can do some damage to a person's psyche and family life. I guess
that's why Hybels writes about "courageous" leadership, the kind that comes
with a price. For a guy who's mission in life has been "to turn atheists
into missionaries", he has survived the journey long enough to have some
important things to say on the subject of leadership.
I first heard Michael Slaughter at a seminar on
breaking the 800 barrier in church growth about ten years ago. He is an
engaging speaker. At this stage of his life and ministry he has set aside
the discussion of church growth barriers to address the changes that face
church leaders in the light of the postmodern cultural shift. I was
challenged to renew some individual spiritual practices. I was challenged to
think about what church might be like 10 years down the road.
What's interesting about each of these books is
the vantage point of the authors. All "successful" pastors who have done
well. All who have wisdom to share about the journey for church leaders.
There is a lot to learn from these writers.
Posted by CRW---10/17/02, 9:47 PM
Interesting discussion....
Next-Wave readers are an interesting
bunch....creative and passionate. Check out the
discussion thread concerning "God's Word." Set initially in a pub and
then in a Shoney's, this discussion is a great example of the differences
between "modern" and "postmodern" modes of thinking...While you are there,
feel free to pull up a chair, order some food or drink, and join in.
Posted by CRW---10/01/02, 9:40 PM
What is God doing?
When trials happen it is always hard to know
what God is doing. My friends, Marv and Karen Schuler are in the middle
of something like that right now. They are the pastors of a ministry to
skateboarders in Moreno Valley, CA. Unfortunately, this ministry, while
very fruitful has aroused the ire of the next-door neighbor. Through
false police complaints, law suits, code compliance actions, verbal
threats and physical assaults they have continued to reach out to the
hard-to-reach skateboarders. In December 2000, the neighbor got the ear
of members of the City Council. The upshot of that process was the
granting of a preliminary injunction prohibiting skateboarding on the
ramps and platforms that the Schuler's have built on their property.
Just a few private citizens acting with obedience to God's calling are
being targeted by a municipality that is marshalling all of its forces
to shut them down and finish the ministry once and for all. It's hard to
believe that what is happening is God's will. However, if one studies
the Bible closely, there are numerous occasions when God's plans seem to
be failing. So, sad and grieving ministers are now wondering, tearfully
what is God doing....
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Posted by CRW---8/17/02, 3:40 PM
Called to lead worship?
Andy Park's
book is a must read
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If you are called to lead worship, then Andy
Park's book,
To Know You More is a must read. I just finished it
yesterday and was blessed and refreshed in the reading. I have
always enjoyed singing and leading worship with Andy Park's songs. He is
a servant-leader who writes from years of experience. Worship leading
begins with leading a life of worship. Andy has written a book from the
richness of his experience. |
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Posted by CRW---8/11/02, 6:17 PM
A new altar call question?
I like what
Todd Hunter is doing. For
those of you who don't know him, Todd is the former national director of
the Association of Vineyard
Churches. He wrote one of the articles in our premier issue in
January 1999. Since stepping down from his Vineyard post, Todd has been
coaching church planters and church planting in Southern California. He
has also been teaching and writing and experimenting concerning ministry
in the postmodern contest. His latest
article on spiritual transformation brings a refreshing viewpoint to
the subject and to our evangelistic efforts. Give it a read.
Let me know what you think.
Posted by CRW---8/8/02,
11:14 PM
Churchless faith
This
article
from Reality Magazine is a
sociological description of a growing phenomenon. Thanks to Jordon
Cooper and Andrew Careaga for mentioning it in their weblogs.
Posted by CRW---8/3/02,
8:17 AM
Have you spoken with God lately?
The most recent issue of
People has an article about Sharon Osbourne's battle with cancer. In
the article, former Black Sabbath lead singer, Ozzy says,
"I've done a lot of praying, believe it or not."
Paul said, "6Don't worry about anything; instead, pray
about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has
done. 7If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which
is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will
guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Phillipians
4:6,7
My prayer for the Osbourne's is that they
find some of the peace that Paul is talking about.
Holy Bible. New
Living Translation copyright © 1996 by
Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
Posted by CRW---7/22/02,
9:50 PM
Getting a kingdom perspective
It always helps to get a little perspective
on your life. Is the glass half-empty or half-full? If you had just 1
day to live, what would you do differently? That kind of thing, you know?
I just read an article at the Cutting Edge magazine [published by the
Vineyard church planting task force]
by a pastor who survived a knife attack. Boy, has his perspective
changed. How's the view from where you are in your journey?
Posted by CRW---7/13/02,
2:00 PM
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