We build the Church while demolishing our Family
I write this as a confession for myself, a warning for some, and hopefully a wakeup call to others. As I share this burning conviction within me I must remind all those who read this that I am not perfect nor do I claim to be. It is not my intent to judge the condition of one’s heart; however, it is my obligation to 'stir you up by the way of reminder' pointing out the reality of our public actions. If while you read this you feel attacked, defensive, or ready to counter strike with a Scripture-ridden rebuttal, take a few moments and ask yourself, "Is Chris wrong, teaching heresy, leading people to another gospel or am I feeling conviction from the Holy Spirit of God?" This will be a sensitive topic and our natural response will be to defend our actions. It is my prayer that you pause and allow the Word of God to challenge you; to cut you apart. Now take a deep breath and process this statement: In attempts to convey dedication to our flocks we have conveyed contempt for our family.
The maturity test: who is to blame when adults are still kids?
One doesn’t have to look very long to see our culture is infected with immaturity. People that should have the title of ‘Men and Women’ are going through the motions of an adult life like little boys and girls playing dress up. While people pretend to be adults proclaiming to be mature because of the life they have lived or the experiences they possess; their actions of selfishness scream immaturity. In my opinion, maturity seems to be a forgotten quality once marked by a spirit of sacrifice now lost in sea of self-satisfaction. So the question is, how to do we transition from immaturity to maturity? How do we challenge ourselves and others to grow up without experiencing a temper tantrum?
Worship Songs vs. Sermons
Which is more important: the worship or the message? Please don’t give the church answer, “they are both important and play a vital role in the body of Christ...blah blah blah.” Yes they are both important, but which is more important? In most Churches around the world, whether in homes or arenas, the service contains a time of song and a time of sermon. For the sake of discussion...if you had to choose only one from this point forward, either song or sermon, which would you choose? For me, the answer depends on which has more influence to further the mission of Jesus. So let me ask this, which has more influence?
Empty pages reveal empty experiences
Are you King?
The process to Somewhere
“My Life aka Ministry Philosophy- pt.5”
What if we were okay with just doing a few things with excellence instead of many things just because we can? What if we didn’t try to please everyone with everything? What if we surrendered the idea of trying to go everywhere/anywhere for the goal of trying to go somewhere specific? What if we knew what our role was in the Body of Christ? What if we didn’t try to be the whole Body of Christ? In an attempt to please everyone, leaders limit their influence by spending countless hours and expending immeasurable amounts of energy on things others have been called to do. Not only do we pointlessly run like hamsters on a wheel but we unintentionally set up this culture of competing with the church down the street.
The process to Fulfilling Purposes
“My Life aka Ministry Philosophy- pt.4”
It was a Thursday night in my living room when a young man spoke up and said something that overwhelmed me with such powerful emotions~ I honestly didn't know how to handle it. Never before have I experienced an emotional cocktail quite like that night. All I could do was cry, but it wasn't even a normal cry... it was a border line vengeful powerless mourn with a splash of sadness, pain, anger, remorse, and parental defensiveness. He said these words, 'I feel taken advantage of...like they didn't really care about me they just cared about what I could do for them.' In the quest for 'success' leaders have sacrificed people for progress & sacrificed fulfilling purposes for filling positions. The 'emergency' of meeting the need has given them the justification to rob people of their purpose & God of His design...
