The "Soap" Opera

IKEA is a Swedish land of incredible inventions.  I have never walked through that place without seeing at least one thing that I could not live without; having no idea how I ever survived without their latest tool of convenience!  My friends also share a love for this great place where recently on one of our group pilgrimages, a two dollar purchase would teach me an invaluable lesson in leadership and development.

Any good salesman knows that before he can market a problem solver, he must first establish a baseline that there is in fact a problem that needs to be resolved.  Insert dramatic infomercial music, black and white shot for extra emphasis, and that over-acted disgusted face as we walk into your bathroom right now.  Do you use bar soap?  Have you ever noticed how even the best grooved bathtub holders for bar soap collect a residue that is a cake mixture of hardened soap and dead skin cells?  Ever picked up a bar and there's the wet gooey layer because the bar of soap sat in the moisture that never fully drained or dissipated? 

Here's where IKEA's ingenious plastic invention comes in!  Similar to the product you see in the title, this $2 plastic holder suctioned to the shower wall, holding the bar upright so that gravity could do it's work and allow all that moisture to drain!  This would also keep the bars of soap from ending up on the floor like they so often do.

 Having seen this revelatory item, eyes have now been opened to this epidemic that must end!  So, someone I know purchased several of these, attached them to the wall, and placed the individual bars of soap in them.  The story is told that every day when the purchaser got in the shower, one particular bar of soap was not in it's new place; It always found it's way back to its old spot.

One reported they followed the cycle:  After the purchaser would get in the shower, the soap was it its new spot.  After the owner of this particular bar would get in the shower, it was always out...until one day, all evidence of the soap container magically disappeared; All in one swift move, both the problem and the solution disappeared for good. Here are some takeaways:

1.  People Won't Always See What You See.

Someone saw junk, and the other saw treasure.  Someone saw a collection of dead skin cells, used soap, and bacteria, while someone else examined a difference in routine placement.

The world needs Visionaries, driven to look toward the future, calculate the risks, and affect change to generate momentum and growth.  If it can be better, then why should it stay the same?  If we can do something new and effective, why stick with the status quo?  The visionaries of the world are those IKEA inventors,  church leaders, writers, and communicators who keep the world moving.  Without visionaries, we will still be living without electricity, cars, and the technology that makes life a blend of complicated and fun. Don't be discouraged if people don't see what you see; that only means you will go places others cannot go. 

2.  You Cannot Not Force A Solution.

Left to themselves, the managerial type would take what they were given, and ONLY what they were given, and make it as comfortable as could be. ( AKA. the regular soap shelf. ) Visionaries hate "comfortable" just as much as Managers hate "new."  This tension, though irritating at times is necessary to a steady flow of life.  If you are to be an effective visionary, you must first understand that change cannot always be forced.  "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still."  You will lose the heart and buy-in of those you seek to lead if you mandate change on a "if it a'int broke don't fix it" personality.  Take a step back and utilize your opportunities to communicate.  As you communicate, either your philosophy will change, or your followers will change.  Both of these can be listed as success. 

3.  Problems Must First Be Personal 

Sometimes as leaders we must sell the problem before we can ever sell the solution.  Habits and routines do not change until the issue begins to hit close to home.  Maybe you're a Christian who can look back and see how grace did not seem so amazing until you realized just how much of a wretch you were. Maybe you were an addict who finally publicly admitted, "My name is_____ and I am_____."  There can only be a solution where there is first a problem.  Vision casting in a sterile, universal manner if rarely effective; But communicating the personal issues will continue to decide leaders, elect presidents, and graduate AA members.  Someone is going to change the world. The question is, will it be you? 

Five R's Every Youth Leader Needs To Know

So you're working in youth ministry now, and you feel unequipped or inadequate? Welcome to the club! Just a few years ago I felt like I had so much to offer, but no idea how to do it! My idea of youth ministry was greatly impacted by the "youth group" I grew up in, which pretty much consisted of me, my best friend Matt, and the kids we filtered in for activities from the youth groups we wished we were part of. Our youth "leaders" were good at a few things: 1. Buying us food. 2. Telling us how immature and irresponsible we were. 3. Reminding us that they were the youth leaders. 4. Creating lame activities like "prim" that was little more than an amish alternative to "prom." 5. Regurgitating the stuff they had heard as teens..."back in my day."

Stepping into my first pastoral position with little more than 5 committed middle schoolers was scary, because I didn't know what to do! Stewarding their lives was of course a heavy weight of responsibility, but balancing that with engaging material and excitement seemed near impossible. But, as I opened the pages of Scripture, God walked me through some tough lessons in youth ministry that made those years some of the most rewarding and educational years to date. Here are a few tips that helped me grow a youth group from 5 to 60 and counting, but more than that - be an effective minister of the gospel.



1. Be Relatable
Paul said he was made all things to all men that he might be all means save some. So from the King James, let's translate this into "youthenese." To the nerd became I as the nerd. To the jock became I as the jock. To the musician became I as the musician...etc.

Stop talking about how youth ministry used to be; because it's not that way anymore. Culture shifts daily which requires study and discernment on your part in order to effectively relate to it. Don't misinterpret that as being "of" the world. But you must be like Jesus, and meet people where they are.

Minecraft parties. I never thought I'd be a gamer...and I'm still not. But I can build redstone railroad with the best of them! Why? Because I could fill a basement with 20 middle schoolers who came to hang with the youth pastor, and inadvertently get some unsolicited counsel, and even hear the gospel. Yes, even my Minecraft world had a church in it!

Football Games. Be there! That's where all the teens hang out...and even better, their parents! The cheer section has the jocks, and they're easy enough to win over. But behind the bleachers, next to the fence is where bands of 8-10 roam the grounds. Engage them! Soon, like me, you'll have 32 kids calling your cell phone from the front gate saying "Pastor, can you come be my chaperone into the game?!" Hook. Line. & Sinker! Guess who they'll tell their parents was at the game and helped them get in?

School Functions. Band Concerts. Plays. Lunch. Each of these are crazy worlds in which various species of teenagers live. Invade these territories and capture the hearts of the citizens. Make time for them. Be at all of them. You'll be amazed....

2. Be Rational
Here's a common situation: Kid gets a bad grade. They tell their parents who immediately freak out and ground them from something. Kid comes to youth pastor seeking comfort. You cannot be the devil's advocate, but you cannot be the freak-out parent either! Listen to what the teen has to say, and point them in the right direction. Many parents lose their teens because they won't LISTEN. If you'll listen, you will win their heart. Every time.


3. Be Real
As a youth pastor, I was a person too. I have a past. God works in my present. I struggle with sin. When I'm real about my journey with Christ, suddenly admitting humanity becomes OK. " If pastor Jon struggles, I can too!" No, you don't need to brag on your sin and bring all your skeletons out in the open. Just be real about what God has and is doing in your life.


4. Be Ready
This could mean so many things! Even after I felt pretty "seasoned" my small group of just high school guys made me realize just how unprepared I was at times! Teens have a way of throwing those awkward questions your way. Be ready. Teens are learning life the hard way many times. This might involve 3AM pick ups, or 5AM phone calls of panic. Be ready. Students are watching you, and processing things inside. At the most random time, they will be prepared to accept Christ and open up their heart to the gospel. Be ready. Expect the unexpected.


5. Be Recruiting

- Recruit Students

If not utilized as the church of today, they will not be here tomorrow. Allow students the freedom to minister effectively by recruiting them to be leaders. Engage them with Scripture. Equip them with the tools. Empower them to lead. Encourage them along the way! Trust them! Stop trying to TELL them everything and start SHOWING them some things! Disciple students!

- Recruit Parents

Parents are the wonderful people that live with those teenagers every day of the week, apart from the few hours you are with them. Recruit parents for insight into those kids lives. Even if they don't have the best parenting style, you can disciple them without them ever realizing what you're doing! Make them a part of your team, and develop not just a teen exclusive ministry, but a family ministry. A Church. Let the parents know you have a united front, pointing kids to their authority.

- Recruit Pastors

In my first church I became all consumed with student ministry. I poured my heart and soul into it, and reaped the benefits. Unfortunately, I left my pastor behind, not knowing he had never been taught those things. As the youth group grew, the church continued to die, and at one time, over half of the Sunday attendance was teens! Parents started coming to Wednesday night FUEL for Bible teaching and counseling, because that is where they felt valued and utilized. --- Invest in your pastor! Involve your pastor! In my second church, I transitioned the culture of student ministry to that of a "connexus group" that liberated parents and pastors to invest in the lives of students. After all, they're part of the CHURCH! As pastors discipled students, it generated a "oneness" in the church that assisted in its growth. You need your pastor, and your pastor needs you.

A Catholic Culture

Throughout Scripture, the development of a personal relationship with God is not only recommended, but even commanded.  We read of great relationships such as Enoch's, where walking with God was a daily reality. And while men like David did not physically commune with the Father,  the Scriptures allowed for a spiritual experience just as real.  The words of God were so integral to David's life that he hid them in his heart.  Jesus spoke that man should not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  Paul wrote to Timothy, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."  Scripture suggests that communing with God is equivocated to a relationship with His Word.

Cults of all sorts distort this Christian principle,  and I see it bleeding over even into our most fundamental circles today.  The Catholic church, to name one,  highly emphasizes mass attendance, frequency of sacraments, and reading through the missals produced by the church.  Scripture's authority is degraded by the pope's ability to infallibly speak "ex cathedra" overruling the written Word.  Members of the Catholic church are not encouraged to search out the Scriptures, but rather to trust the word of their priest for doctrine and instruction.  

Those claiming the banner of independent or fundamental christianity would hold to the ideology that they should personally commune with God through His Word,  but is that truly believed?  As I sit in churches across the United States I see members with closed Bibles.  I listen as pastors, both tenured and inexperienced, recite their sermons often misconstruing details and facts.  Their interpretations of Scripture are often filtered through the lenses of their indoctrinating school, ministerial idolatry, and adherence to the traditions of men.  They subliminally promote the continued legacy of ignorance within the laypeople.  The people are not being taught to search out the Word for themselves, subsequently most are content to adopt the views of their pastor as their own with no personal affirmation.  When Scripture is not primary, the church begins to worship the stained glass, pews, former pastor's pictures, memorial plaques, and church rituals.  It's no longer genuine worship that is spiritually compelling,  its idol worship under the guise of a pursuit of old paths.

Is fundamentalism all that different from Catholicism?  As pastors of different fellowships hold to the "views" of their respective "ministerial giants" on the platform of "old paths"  do we not then make these men as gods?  When our doctrine is affirmed by the sayings, sermons, and memoirs of men of faith rather than the Author of our Faith,  do we not override the authority of the I AM?  When we are more concerned with the names on the wall, the way the piano is played, and the structure of our service do we not resemble the iconic worship of a cult?  The blame lays not solely on the shoulders of the present day ministerial hierarchy,  but also on those who do not present themselves as workmen.  I see a generation that stands before God unapproved, ashamed, and ill equipped to rightly divide truth.  Is it any wonder our culture continues to rapidly drift?  The denominational lines are greatly blurred in this respect, where even the most conservative baptist is no different than the catholic.  What are you? 

Launch Lessons

I was about 16 the first summer I worked at camp.  That might read like an ordinary sentence,  but those are the words that changed the course of my life and personality.  The first 15 years of my life were a pretty hectic rollercoaster that really robbed me of a childhood.  This isn't a sob story about my life,  it's just that I flipped a switch at 8 years old that took me from "little kid"  to "adult" overnight.  The types of things that I would live through would create a cynical, insecure, therefore arrogant individual.  So,  put a "kidult" like that in a group of regular teenagers and one crazed camp director for 7 weeks, and something is going to explode.

I remember it like yesterday.  We left one Saturady for the annual pontoon boat trip on Lake Cumberland.  Everyone else seemed to be enjoying the water,  but that was so childish....I mean, swimming in a lake?  Isn't swimming only for filtered pools?  To make matters worse, we came upon an abandoned railroad tunnel that everyone climbed to jump off into the water.  I wasn't about to do that,  until I watched Stephen dunk Isaac from my view on the boat.  When that kid's head surfaced,  he raced for the boat, face flushed as he bawled his eyes out.  In that moment I had a decision to make.  Do I look back on today,  10 years from now having written "A Diary of a Wimpy Kid" like Isaac,  or do I launch myself from that railroad tunnel, and leave a hero.  

That decision shaped my summer, and opened my eyes to a whole new world.  Here are some of the things that jump taught me.

1.  A launch always involves a loss.

You can talk about doing something all day long and imagine what victory would be like, or you can actually DO SOMETHING.  Staying inside your box allows you to maintain the pride that exists as a covering for your insecurities.  The box allows you to maintain control of your immediate surroundings. A flop in that water would have been a bit embarassing, but a failure to launch would have lost me the respect of those who had tried.  When you launch,  your confidence grows and chisels away at your insecurities.  Launching will cause your fear to disappear.  Launching means losing the "ignorance is bliss" mindset as you become educated in the structure of a win.  Yes, you are going to lose some things when you launch, but it will be worth all that you gain. 

2.  A launch will land you with leaders.

Sometimes I picture what my summer would have been like had I chose to stay in the boat.  I would have been grouped and labeled in the wimpy bracket.  It's hard to lose a label.  But I conquered me fear of...well...life, and launched from that bridge.  Choosing to "do something" over simply talking about it moved me up in the world.  Even if I had flopped,  at least people knew I had the courage to try.

3. Without a launch, there is no legacy.

"Hey you remember the time we...."  The people I enjoy hanging out with the most are those who love to "do."  We all know the "sit and do nothing" people.  Sure, they can talk a big talk,  but they have no experience to back it up.  Launching is fun, and every launch leaves a legacy.  Truth,  not every launch is a success,  but you learned how not to launch next time.  God never allows success or failure without someone else in mind.  Use your legacy to invest in a fellow launcher.  

It's your choice,  launch or lose.  Go DO something!  

  

Stunt Double Churches

If you have watched one of Jennifer Lopez's action-packed films,  you have seen the individual on the left.  Yes,  that is her hired stunt double.  Often, celebrities in the film industry hire out their extravagant moves to those more agile, and able to perform what they cannot.  Whether it be age, agility, or a contractual agreement,  most stars are not solely responsible for the super-hero image the public retains.  Bone structure, clothing, and hair allows for an identical viewing experience...from a distance.  But upon closer review,  major differences are exposed.

In Acts 8, we find a sorcerer named Simon.  For years he has performed "miracles," enchanting and enslaving the people of his city.  In fact, his performances were so convincing that "from the least to the greatest, they all gave heed saying, this man is the great power of God."  Of course, Simon was aware he was not, in fact God, nor did his power originate fro the Most High. Simon implies that he is "some great one."  Not God; certainly close though. Yet, from a distance, the stunts he pulled looked so similar, they were mistaken as identical. That is, until a man named Philip enters the scene.

Philip's message and miracles were directly from God.  Those once mesmerized by the power of Simon are now following after the actual power of God.  The message brought by Philip was so convincing that even Simon converted to Christianity.  As he saw the apostles laying hands on the converts, and the Holy Ghost moving upon those people, he desired that same power. His tricks did not compare to the real thing,  and if he was to enhance his own image, he would require this supernatural power.

A simple walk through Facebook and your local news outlet will reveal a generation of "Simon's" under the banner of the local church.  Stunt Double Churches.  We watch the body of Christ host extravagant stunts that no doubt attract the media and draw local attention,  but under the surface lack substance.  Facebook and Twitter posts read "CHECK OUT WHAT WE'RE DOING!"  "LOOK AT OUR PASTOR."  "SEE WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED!!"  These churches are not carrying the fire of the Holy Spirit,  they have lit their own torch with strange fire.  Yes,  the miracles look like something Jesus would do,  sound like something Jesus would do,  but upon close inspection, are nothing more than solicitations for increased self image.  How dare we hashtag #GloryToGod in what we have made all about us!

Here are some things to watch for in a stunt double church.

1.  Do not mistake Holy Spirit movement with generated hype.
     The movement of the Holy Spirit is pure, and always draws attention back to himself.  Yes, it's exciting,  but excitement does not equal Holy Spirit.  Go with me to any sports activity.  There you will find the lifting of hands, dancing in the aisles, shouting, singing, and a buzz-filled air that is contagious.  Sure sounds like the makings of a great church service,  but in actuality it is entirely void of God's presence.  Sad that many cannot distinguish between the two.

2.  Stunt Double churches thrive on attention.
     Attention is attention, whether positive or negative.  As long as the church's or pastor's name is trending on twitter or buzzing in the local paper,  the church is "doing something."  Some churches, like "Hillsboro Baptist" enjoy the spotlight pointed at public protest,  while some bask in the accolade of public service.  "Watch this video as our pastor eats 237 goldfish while walking 500 miles in his bare feet. " #GloryToGod  WOW!  Check out war Fox5 said about our church!  #GloryToGod

3.  Stunts always have to be topped.
     The point of a stunt is to exhibit some extreme behavior!  It wouldn't exactly be a stunt if it was "less than" what you did the year before right?!  It has to grow!  It has to get bigger!   When a genuine movement of God takes place,  it is unique and powerful every time.  While the outcome of a Holy Spirit encounter may produce various mathematical figures in terms of salvations or decisions,  a move of God is unequivocal to any number.  It cannot be manufactured, therefore it cannot be improved upon. At what point do stunt double churches draw the line for "enough."

4.  Stunts are personality driven. 
     Stunt double churches are always always personality driven.  If the personality is unable to perform, the stunt loses its luster and following.  A healthy church is driven by a passion for the Word of God, a personal relationship with Jesus, and a devoted love to the organization Christ gave his life for:  the church.  All too often the masses follow a stunt master, who will not surrender his pulpit or prominence for fear of people leaving.  This fear is valid,  for if that pastor surrendered his preaching ministry to another of the staff for any length of time,  his shallow followers would vacate in search of another Simon the sorcerer.

5.  Generated excitement is only temporary.  
Truth:  Watching J.Lo's stunts in some of those movies are pretty incredible; but I didn't chose the movie to see that dude....I came to see J.LO!  This same principle applies to the Christian.  The "radical fundraisers" and "powerful promotions" of the stunt double churches are great,  and seem to be "of God."  But when I find a community of believers where God REALLY shows up, that's what I want to totally buy into.  Yeah,  stunts attract some great media attention,  but how much growth did you get from that?  Oh, that's right....none.  And in two weeks, that story will be out of print and out of mind.  On to the next stunt!

Leading Through Conflict of Culture

My head is often racing in the realm of ministry because that is where my vocation and calling intersect.  Ministry has its perks, while balancing its fair share of problems.  As pastors we often think we are the only ones who bear burdens of this particular nature,  but as I examine the business world,  I find similar successes and failure when the proper leadership principles are weighed.  One area we probably all dread is dealing with conflict within the culture of our organization.  Here are some of the principles that should help alleviate some of the stress:

1.  Live Above Reproach
This is the umbrella principle that qualifies or disqualifies a pastor.  I heard one man accuse another not too long ago of living a life that was above reproach.  In the back of my mind I thought, "what a great victory!  The fact that his words and actions would solicit this description!"  Leader, study the word,  follow the Lord, and have an answer ready for when you are questioned so that you might be described as "above reproach!" 

2.  Refuse to Mount the Offensive
OK,  I'm not suggesting that you never pursue wrong.  This principle swings into the accusation realm.  When you find yourself backed into a corner,  instinct is to take up arms and fight back.  DONT!  (Jesus didn't...)  When the dust settles,  your testimony will reflect someone who allowed the darts of accusation to be thrown with grace and mercy.  Hurts in the moment,  but lends toward a big win in the end.  You may never get an apology,  but you will be able to sleep at night.

3.  All that is said must be true,  but not all that is true must be said.
The Great Gatsby quoted,  "Apologies aren't always because you're wrong, but often because you value a relationship more than your ego."  This statement will always ring true.  True courage is eating crow for the sake of a soul.  The taste of crow is bitter to the extreme,  but the aftertaste is eternally sweet.  Speak truth,  but speak slowly.  Refuse to share what God has not given you liberty to reveal.

4.  Miles and mistakes do not a relationship break;  people do.
You've heard it said, " I can't be your friend anymore because ____________."  Great leaders often struggle with owning every mistake as their own,  and deeply yearn to DO SOMETHING or SAY SOMETHING to "fix" the problem.  But it was not the mistake the broke the relationship;  that was a choice by a person. You say, "but I feel bad!"  Here is what you should examine:  The accuser of the brethren only recalls past mistakes you have already settled with the Lord.  The Holy Spirit convicts of present sin.  Is it right with you and the Lord?  If yes,  then stop letting the devil throw false guilt into your mind.

5.  God cultivates the ground, and waters the seed; Your job is only to plant.
The ground of confrontational hearts is often cold and hard.  Any farmer knows this type of soil must be tilled and cultivated in order for seed to take root.  The seed is good, but the environment is not prepared.  Leaders love to play "Holy Spirit" in an attempt to achieve faster results.  Dear minister/leader,  you are not responsible for how the truth is received, you are only accountable for the sowing process.  The more a heart rejects truth, the harder it gets. 

6.  Attack on practice is not attack of person. 
As leaders,  when someone questions our process of progress, because that is "our baby"  we often assume the attack as a personal blight on our character.  I have heard leaders suggest "If you attack that,  you're attacking him,  and therefore you attack me."  Though our systems are built on our personalities,  we must separate our processes from our personality so that when improvements must be made, we do not make them personal.  When addressing a practice,  it is always good to keep in mind that at one time,  this was a revolutionary idea!  ...just not anymore.

7.  Off limits for conversation, off limits for improvement.
For a pastor,  the sermons is "the main event"  of a church worship experience.  Our staff often feel awkward making suggestions for improvement because they did not deliver here.  But criticism most often is constructive when passed from the foundation to the head.  If your foundation cannot discuss,  it will crumble, and the head will fall.  Create a culture where everything is open for conversation...of  course principle #6 will have to be in effect for this to be successful.

8.  Marry You Mission,  Date Your Model.
YES!  I get to date a model!!!  OK...maybe not quite.  The mission of your organization or "DNA"  should not change if it is solid.  This one thing is off limits for discussion.  The mission is the lens through which we view and make all other decisions.  If your mission is clear,  there will be no need to micromanage as your staff will align everything with the mission.  The model is ever changing!  Thank God for the absence of flannel graph and pipe organs in today's model. 

9.  Everything Rises and Falls On Leadership
I grew up hearing this, and how true?!  If you want to see more rising than falling, check your pride at the door.  Guess what?  We all make mistakes!  No one is immune.  Sometimes the immortality mindset kicks in,  and we over compensate for our insecurities with pride.  This poison water will flow directly into the culture of your organization, crippling it from the bottom, up. 

10.  Call For Constant Course Correction.
Jump in your car,  aim it one direction,  take your hands off the wheel, and just gas it.  Nah,  that won't work....try this:  Get in your sail boat,  aim it North,  hands off the wheel,  and just go.  Well,  that's a bad idea too.  Maybe one more?  See if you can get that kite to fly high without guiding the string....  Notice something?  A good steward of a vehicle must constantly evaluate the direction.  Wind of society, doctrine, and culture has a tendency to shift and move us week to week,  day to day,  mood to mood.  If you notice a recurring problem in your organization,  evaluate the source.  The list of issues are endless, especially in the church world....poor spirit,  disengaged people, revolving door of staff, poor facilities, no growth.... you see in church,  we don't always see the problems until the money runs out.  As long as we can finance what we're doing, we will continue to do it.  Then, when money runs low,  red lights go off.  As a leader in any capacity,  examine what is working and what is wasted energy.  Constantly correct to stay on course.