We need some spiritual giants...

Who is your spiritual mentor?  Do you have someone in your life who guides you on your spiritual journey?  Do you have a spiritual parent?

I went to Rev. C.E. Stairs and Uta Chase’ funerals.  Two spiritual giants in the Wesleyan church.  And as sermons, tributes and eulogies were given, it was repeatedly said about what an impact they had on the next generation of Christians and Pastors- how they had been part of seeing people come to Christ, grow in that relationship, and even their call into ministry.

I wondered as I sat in both services- “who will be the spiritual giants in the next generation?”  We are in such a busy, fast paced, individualistic society that I fear people aren’t putting in the time in their own spiritual life, let alone the next generation. 

 

If you are in the “senior generation” and you are reading this- can you name 1 or 2 people that you are intentionally pouring your life into?  If you are in the “younger generation” and you are reading this- can you name 1 or 2 people that you are intentionally seeking to learn from and submit yourself to? 

 

As I get older I desire to have those spiritual giants in my life.  But I also know that I need to be that for someone else.

 

Start praying to God would bring this person into your life- I guarantee you will be richer and deeper spiritually because of it!

What I Learned in Year 1

Today officially marks one year of being senior pastor at Corbett Avenue Wesleyan Church in Fredericton, NB. I'm also met with the feeling that it feels longer than that and shorter- but one year it is. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm an overanalyzer- can't help it. When it comes to the realm of "Senior Pastor" it's no different.

On one hand I have been connected to the senior pastor role since the day I was born, as my dad served in that capacity the whole time that I lived at home. Even on staff, it's no secret, I was much more intrigued by the senior pastor role than my own...haha- I'm sure to the joy of Mark Thompson, Jim Agrell, and Dave Wilcox!

But, being the son of a senior pastor or being on the staff and being connected to the senior pastor is much different than sitting in the position yourself. So here is what I learned after actually sitting in this position for the first time!

1. Senior Leadership is not easy!

Most staff pastors have said these words, "if I was leading that's not how I would do it...and truth be told, if I was leading, I would do it better!" Some of that is a God given desire and passion to lead, but mostly it's ignorance! It's a lot easier to be the carefree "Maverick" when the buck doesn't stop with you! Leading people and being responsible for the spiritual well being of large groups of people is much more difficult when the final decision rests on your shoulders. You see the ripple effect of your decisions, the consequences, you interpret how everyone will process it- not just one ministry. I had one pastor say that you can't truly feel the weight until it's actually on your shoulders- he was 100% right! Staff guys, support and come alongside your Senior Pastor!

2. Learning to lead in tension is a must!

See Andy Stanley's talk from Leadership Summit '11- it's brilliant. Leading in tension is the idea that some problems just can't be solved, you can't wait for everything to be perfect before you begin to lead. There would be no need for leaders if everyone knew what to do! Also, there is rarely a "right way" to do something- there are good ways, and the leader needs to discern where to go, some may agree, some won't, that's part of leading. I thought that if I found the right way then others would also agree...maybe, but never always. Tensions will always be there.

3. You can't substitute anything else in place of hearing God's voice for yourself!

You cannot lead by general consensus! There is wisdom found is trusting key leaders and mature believers- but they can't be your god. Nothing can replace your time alone with God listening to His voice! You can't lead to please the masses, you can't preach to appease the crowd, or even make decisions to make your entire staff happy- you must know that you are walking in step with God, and make sure that He is pleased.

4. I'm called to be a pastor, not a CEO.

I love leadership, but I was called to be a pastor. I always want to keep those things in balance. I worry that sometimes in the modern church we have replaced "pastors" with "leaders" and "preachers" with "communicators". Some might think this is semantics- but I don't think it is. My dad had a study, I have an office. It's a subtle change, but it's a change. I am called to a people not an organizational structure. I absolutely want to lead my people, but as a shepherd would, not a business executive.

5. I still love, and believe in, the local church.

Hybels says it over and over- "the local church is the hope of the world"- agreed! I grew up as a PK- I DO NOT HAVE ROSE COLORED GLASSES!! I just believe that if Christ birthed the church, if the church is His bride, and if the church is His body- if Jesus hasn't changed that, then why should I? I believe that God has given me a gift to be an optimistic realist- I can see the church, even my church, with all of it's flaws and failures and yet still believe in what we can do and where God is leading us!

It's been a huge year, and I hope the 2nd is even bigger. I hope I keep growing in my calling, I hope our people grow in the love and grace of Jesus, and that our church would be a force in our community!

Influence

What does it mean to influence someone? I picked up TIME's "The 100 Most Influential People in the World" issue last week as I was curious to see this list. I was shocked by how few names I recognized or knew anything about, but maybe that says more about me. (If you still can, I suggest you pick it up and flip through this list.) It's funny to have a list that includes Barack Obama and Rhianna; or Warren Buffet and Jeremy Lin. John Maxwell always says that "leadership is influence", but what is influence? What qualities does a person have that we allow them to influence- or do we even allow them, or does it just happen? Some people on that list have impacted me indirectly because of their product or invention, but no one on that lists influences me in a personal way. But it does have me thinking about what "truly" influences me. As a Christian the default answer people jump to is "God" or maybe the bible. But really? Is that reality- or is there something else. Image? Friends? Media? Guilt? Results? What influences you? Have you thought about it, or have you just coasted letting the loudest voice speak into your life? Not everything should influence us, we should be very selective in what we allow, or invite in, to influence us. Make a list of 5 or 6 things or people that influence you. Any changes need to be made? What should the list include going forward? Who should be on there? Who should come off? Who or what are you going to let speak into your life? "Before microphones and television were invented, a leader had to stand in front of a crowd and bellow. Now she can tweet a phrase that reaches millions ni a flash. Influence was never easier- or more ephemeral." (Richard Stengal, managing ed. TIME)

Don't Quit so Easily!

"To be a good leader you have to be a romantic. Because then you not only want to make a difference, you imagine that you can." Richard North Patterson

I am a classic optimist trapped in the body of a realist. This is not always fun. It can create some real "highs" and "lows". I have a very strong critical eye (some close to me might say too strong...haha) but I can't always help it or turn it off. But then in the midst of this I am an extreme optimist. Not the day dreaming type who stares off in space and imagines "what if..." but like Patterson said, I imagine I can truly make a difference. So much so, that I can look at a situation, see the very real flaws, assess what it will cost to change- and then plow forward to see that change become a reality- because I truly believe that it will change- the thought that it "cannot" change is extremely difficult for me to swallow. I honestly believe this is a God given gift.

The point: I believe there are people out there who have a vision/dream of what they want to accomplish, it may be buried down deep or almost forgotten about, but if you dig around it's there. Almost everyone has a picture in their mind of a "preferred future" that they often think about, but rarely pursue after for a variety of reasons. My least favorite reason is "I already tried once" or it's cousin "it's already been tried". As Andy Stanley says that we often mistake our failure as the result of a bad vision, but often it was just a bad plan- nothing wrong with the vision.

What is it that you wish you could accomplish? What is it that you think "can't" change? Your marriage? Your church? Your relationship with Christ? Your relationship with a co-worker?

Maybe you gave up too easily! Maybe you need a little bit of that romantic spirit in your that stirs the emotion to believe that it really can change.

I do not believe the the power of positive thinking!

I believe if God is burdening something on your heart (that honors Him and is true to scripture- gotta qualify!!) that He also has the power to see it through. This does not have to do with your own ability, but your dependance on the Holy Spirit's power!

One of my favorite Pauline benedictions is "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Eph. 3:20-21)

My favorite part is that God "...is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine..." When I dream big for my church- God dreams bigger! When I desire a great marriage- God desires a greater one! When I think I have big dreams- God's are bigger! And it is clear, He is able to do it!

I think we have enough realists, who are all to quick to point out the flaws, what we need are some more optimists, some more romantics, people who will make a true difference. Maybe it's time to start dreaming again and (for all the baseball fans) swing for the fence!