Category: Ministry Musings
Kick It Off Right!
It’s official. We’re in a 2011. Hundreds of us at KCBT have committed to read through the Bible this year – all of it! I’ve done mine for the day, even though last Sunday morning we all read the first day together to get an idea of just how easy it is. With a time stamp of 7:38 am I received my daily reading in an email, the delivery option I chose.
There are many folks who read this blog that don’t attend KCBT. You are more than welcome to join us on this journey. No matter where in the world you are, here’s how you can get in on the action. There are many read-through-the Bible-in-a-year plans available on the Internet and other places, but we thought it would be good to do this together and encourage each other. There is an Old Testament passage, a New Testament passage and some wisdom from Psalms and Proverbs. Do this for a year and you will have read it all.
If you haven’t yet signed the board in the lobby, those of you at KCBT be sure to do that for mutual encouragement. Then, go to the KCBT website and click 2011 Bible reading plan. Click EN for English and ES for Español. There, you can chose how to get your reading each day – Twitter, FaceBook, RSS, email, etc. Or, you could just pick up a monthly schedule on a piece of paper by the pledge board in the lobby. Just don’t let anyone under 35 see you do it. 
Here are some words of counsel and encouragement.
- Don’t worry if you miss a day, and don’t kill yourself trying to catch up. If you miss, just pick it up on the corresponding day. If you want and have the time, you can go back later and catch up. No big deal. We are under grace, not law. God won’t cause you to lose your job or have a traffic accident if you happen to miss a day. He’ll be happy that you are at least making an effort to read through the Bible.
- Encourage each other. Talk it up. Mention it to folks in your Sunday school class, Bible study, small group, ministry group, Life Team, co-workers, friends, family – whatever. This is not to brag about how spiritual you are, but just among those of us who signed up for the journey. Let’s help each other remember and encourage ourselves among ourselves. Remember a lesson we learned this past year – growth is a plural verb in the Bible. Don’t you dare judge anyone that is not doing this with you or misses a day. We are to encourage each other, not condemn each other (this principle seems to work in just about any area of life, huh?).
- When you come across something you don’t understand (and you will), don’t worry about it. Just keep reading. Maybe it will come to you later. Maybe not. If you try to figure out every jot and title, you’ll never finish, get behind, get discouraged and quit. Then, you’ll feel guilty, go into a major depression, hate yourself, hate life and need counseling. That might even be expensive!
- Read what you can understand and what is comfortable for you. We preach and teach at church from the KJV, but you may have heard me say that I normally do my personal reading in Spanish (RV1960) since that is more comfortable for me. Sometimes, I have read through different Spanish translations and that always causes me to see things that I hadn’t seen before. you might even dare to try this in English! Have you seen the NET Bible? Free downloads and they have a great philosophy of scripture distribution we’ve always preached – it’s free! Think of it as an “open source” Bible if you will. Conservative scholarship and respect for every word of scripture. Maybe English is not your heart language and you are ready to read through the Bible in English. I wouldn’t try this until you’ve read through the Bible in your heart language first, if that option is available.
- Don’t expect to meet with God on Mount Sinai every day. Every so often the lights and sirens will go off and you will have an encounter with God in the scriptures that you will cherish. Some days reading the Bible will be sort of like eating sawdust with no ketchup. Don’t worry about it. Just keep going. Maybe tomorrow.
- Look for ways to pray scripture back to God. We talked about that a little bit last Sunday. This is an amazingly effective way to pray. But, don’t force it. Just be aware of how you can take what you are learning and pray it back to God.
Don’t try to do too much. Don’t approach this with check list in hand and panic if you miss something. Just relax and enjoy the time. Remember, you’re not baking cookies on a time schedule; you’re having fellowship with God Almighty. He doesn’t care if you put in 1/2 cup sugar instead of 1/3. He’s just happy you are spending time with him in scripture.- If you want to get adventurous, try writing down any lessons you learn so you can look them over in review later if you want. Again, don’t try to do too much. Don’t write a novel or a Bible commentary. Just jot down any cool stuff you might want to remember.
Got it? OK! Now, kick off the year right and let’s do this thing!
Lasting Fruit
Supernova!
It´s Saturday night in San Salvador and we have just returned from the big youth extravaganza Supernova. They had planned for about 300 and 400 showed up from 8:00 this morning until 7:00 this evening. I was the final and keynote speaker. I understand they were streaming the day live on FaceBook as they have with other of the events this week. So, I got my jolt of youthful energy.
Pastors after 40 years
Most of the day, however, I have been reflecting on the significance of what I have been seeing here. Last night I posted a link on Facebook of the pastors meeting Friday morning. Many of the men you see here came up either with me in the ministry or under my teaching. Some are second or third generation. It’s quite moving to think that God used me somehow in my ignorance to touch the lives of these men who have influenced so many others.
This morning we had breakfast with a couple who grew up under our ministry here. I remember him for his probing questions in the Bible institute. He went on to a brief but successful business career and eventually served as mission director at the church here. For the past ten years they have served in Romania. This is the first time I have seen Fran and Marta since we were here a quarter of a century ago. Fran is not a church planter, but rather he serves by coaching and assisting Romanian pastors. He told me a great story today.
After the fall of communism in 1989, KCBT began sending in teams within months to help Romanian churches that had been isolated for decades. For over a year and a half we sent teams almost monthly. It was an exciting time. In the process, a young man from KCBT married a young Romanian. They prepared to go back to Romania to serve and partnered with a couple from here in El Salvador. They worked in a local church under the leadership of an American missionary. Unfortunately, the church went through a rough time of division and crisis (not really the fault of the two young couples), and we called both couples home so as not to be part of the division. Later, the Salvadoran couple (not the one we had breakfast with today) returned and still ministers in the same area, having begun another church. The missionary eventually left under a cloud of confusion and in the process we lost contact with the church.
Fast forwarding to a few years ago, this second Salvadoran couple was building alliances with churches all over this area of Romania, including the one where the other two couples had served years earlier. When the dust had settled after the division, national leadership rose to the surface. The training they received from the first two couples and a few of our KCBT pastors who taught there has sustained them to this day.
Fran says they have a storage area where they keep the materials they received from KCBT as though they were the crown jewels. We had pulled the two couples out to protect our testimony, not wanting to be divisive. It worked! To this day they view KCBT with reverence and respect and would love to reconnect and receive some more training. I had no idea. It’s nice when things turn out well!
Pastors Mauricio and Francisco over coffee
At lunch I enjoyed spending time with Pastor Luis and his associates Mauricio and Francisco. Even though times have changed and just about everything else, too, the core of the church is as I left it. Not only that, they have grown to be a genuine leader in global mission from Latin America. Life is sweet.
Tomorrow morning is the big anniversary celebration. I’ll give you a report tomorrow.
Thanksgiving in Guanacolandia
San Salvador from the volcano of the same name
For those of you who are not from El Salvador, Guanacolandia is a light-hearted term to suggest El Salvador, also called Cuscatlán by this area’s original inhabitants before the arrival of the Spaniards. A guanaco is local slang for a Salvadoran, so Guanacolandia es Guanaco Land. Confused? That’s all right. Anyway, that’s where we are on this Thanksgiving Day.
Cheryl, our youngest daughter Rebekah, her daughter Kiersten and I arrived here yesterday afternoon for the 40th anniversary celebration of the Miramonte Baptist Church where I served as pastor in the 70′s and 80′s. The church wanted to invite those of us who have been senior pastors here to come for the celebration. One has passed on to Glory, and a couple of other invitees had to cancel due to health reasons. That leaves yours truly to do most of the speaking this week. Even though this has been a crazy, busy season for me, it’s an honor to be here and reconnect with the church, and especially to have Chery, Rebekah and Kiersten here.
What’s different about Thanksgiving in Guanacolandia? Well, there’s no Macy’s parade for one thing. The weather outside will get up into the 90′s today with bright sunshine, the normal rush hour traffic jams will be the same as they were yesterday, there are no Plaza Lights and no one will be getting up early for Black Friday tomorrow. Furthermore, there is no turkey on the table, although turkey sandwiches are a popular local cuisine year round here. Thanksgiving, of course, is a uniquely American holiday.
So, how did we spend Thanksgiving? First, we enjoyed a good night’s sleep. This was the first for me in a long time. I never had a chance to catch up after my return from Asia Saturday night, and we were up around 3:00 am yesterday morning to travel here. So, I was ready to crash after a fine pupusa dinner last night. This morning we had a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel across the street from where the church was during our time here. Today, the church enjoys a beautiful building with a 2,000 seat auditorium not far from here.
Coffee we saw today ready for the harvest
This morning we went to the top of the volcano that overlooks the city. Then we drove down the back side of the volcano to a beautiful coffee plantation where we enjoyed a great typical lunch in the patio of a restaurant on the grounds with a fabulous view of the valley below. It’s just about time for the coffee harvest to begin and our granddaughter was able to see coffee beans up close on the trees. She has also received a Spanish name. Her name Kiersten is a bit difficult for a Spanish tongue to wrap around and she has been dubbed Cristina.
To be on this coffee plantation was a treat for Cheryl and I as well. In our time here, this far side of the volcano was extremely volatile during the war and there is no way we could have traveled here.
Tonight is a dinner at church for pastors, deacons and leaders, and I will give a devotion. It’s been very satisfying to be here. I’ve learned that the family of churches that has sprung from the Miramonte church now numbers about 40 all over the city and the rest of the country. The church has always been a leader in global missions from Latin America. Today we enjoyed the company of a pair of missionaries that date back to our time here. One couple now serves in Macedonia and the other in Romania. The church also has missionaries in In_ia, Spain, K_rdistan and other places as well.
So, these are some of the things for which I am thankful today, as well as being thankful for our church in Kansas City allowing us to be here this week and for all of you. Happy Thanksgiving!
My Life Team
Quick update: I arrived back from Thailand via Hong Kong last night. Some today asked me if I’m tired. I’m not even sure how to answer that question. Ask me again in a day or two.
This morning I introduced folks to my Life Team and had them share with you about how this concept has helped them to grow. Tonight, over 150 of us met in the gym as I shared the operational principles of how this little group functions and told the story of my own personal journey.
First, here are some general guidelines about what I call Life Teams (you can call it whatever you want!). A small group of this nature functions best with 3 to 8 people. This is not a Bible study or prayer meeting, though you might pray together sometimes and if you are a student of scripture, biblical truth will flow naturally as appropriate. This is simply a group in which the members help each other process life and all its challenges.
You might already be part of a group that functions like this. You don’t need to do what I do. This is not something that can be formally structured, programmed or organized. What is important is simply that each of us be open to God using others to speak his grace and truth into our lives.
There are no rules! The issue is being open to several peers who can speak God’s truth and grace into your life. How often you meet, where, when, how long, what you do, age, gender, you name it – there are no rules. It is simply what works for you and the other people who are for you and you for them.
Here’s what I share tonight, the same thing I shared with my Life Team the day we started.
Purpose: To facilitate personal growth in a small group (3-9) made up of those who share a commitment to a biblical friendship in an environment of unconditional love, loyalty and absolute confidentiality.
Functions:
- Support – We all have common needs. Together we can support each other with training and encouragement to do what we need to do.
- Love – to provide the emotional encouragement of people that are for us no matter what.
- Courage – If you have the courage to do what you are trying to do, then you are not attempting something big enough. we need to encourage each other. Encourage – means literally to put courage in someone. We sometimes experience panic attacks as we contemplate what we are attempting to do.
- Feedback – Proverbs 25:12. Feedback is a gift to those who will listen. This is one of the most important qualities of a leader. Good leaders seek out people to point out the flaws in their plans and lives. When they are given criticism, they receive it as a golden gift.
- Wisdom – If you have to sell everything you have to get wisdom, get it! Proverbs 4:5-9. Get this and you can get everything else back. In your personal team you can “buy” wisdom. You don’t have to know how to do everything; you only have to know who knows how to do it and can speak it into your life or connect you with someone else who can.
- Values – Not just what we think of as moral values, but others such as faith, excellence that you may need to accomplish your mission.
- Accountability – how you spend your time, self growth, resources spent on growth, sin, goals (personal, organizational and/or character growth).
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Non-Rainy Days and Tuesdays
I think there is a bad case of the crazies going around! Seriously, some things are just nuts! Take the weather for example. Can you believe how crazy it’s been? I’m not complaining, just amazed. The temps have been much warmer than normal – around 70 the past few days – in November. The down side is that we have had no moisture for a couple of weeks. That’s also a bit strange.
Then, there is the crazy people factor. My faithful assistant Emily filled in for the receptionist for a couple of hours today. Wouldn’t you know it! It was like there was a full moon or something. A guy shows up wanting to shop in the bookstore (closed), and then goes up to the desk insisting that he wants an appointment with me – today. She politely informs him that would not be possible. He becomes increasingly insistent to the point of creeping her out, then finally leaves his number for me to get back to him (ain’t gonna happen!). He left a weird cryptic message that I’m sure he thought would immediately captivate me and cinch the deal of getting in to see me. (Nah!)
Not long after that she fields a call from a lady in another state insisting to be put through to me immediately. She is related to a person who used to work here over 15 years ago – 15 years ago!! – and spins this tale about her elderly father kidnapping his elderly wife who is failing health because of various family issues and she is sure that I am the one who can solve this problem and prevent her from having to go to the authorities. Geeze! I probably could, but I was busy at the time parting the waters of the Red Sea!
I recognized both names and consoled Emily by telling her that both are certifiable nut jobs. Mental note to self – I don’t think we could possibly afford to pay our receptionists enough to compensate for their battle duty. Our church is somewhat large and there is no way I can talk to everyone who wants to talk to me. Some people have the idea that I am just sitting in my office drinking tea and waiting for them to drop by unannounced to chat for a couple of hours. I did the math once about how long it would take me to visit for an hour or two with everyone who attends our church. If that’s absolutely the only thing I did, I would finish about the time I had like 23 great-great grandchildren and had been dead for a few years.
We have plenty of pastors and leaders to go around and help people, but there are some who assume that when they can’t get in to see Jesus, Moses or the Apostle Paul, I alone am the great guru, the only other one in all creation who can understand them and solve their problems. Sorry, people!
Then, there is the ultimate crazy of all —- me! My travel schedule this month is totally insane! No, I really mean it is insane. I travel more than many folks, but this month only people with an IQ less than that of a potted plant could possible have a schedule like this. I just got back from almost a couple of weeks for my annual gig in Germany/The Netherlands. Tomorrow morning I leave for Thailand. Yea, that’s right. Not a typo. Thailand, as in via Newark, Hong Kong, Bangkok and on to Chiang Mai (international board meeting). I get home on a Saturday night, preach three times on Sunday and leave Wednesday for El Salvador to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the church where I was formerly pastor. That’s a great thing, of course, but I just found out the other honorees had to cancel and I’m carrying the conference on my shoulders, having to fill about 7 or 8 hours of air with intelligent and spiritual-sounding words at the last minute. I am honestly delighted to have this opportunity, but I have no idea!
Now, here’s the God part of all this. I have observed through the years that often when things get crazy, there are some wonderfully good things going on at the same time. Today, a non-rainy Tuesday, was no exception.
Exhibit #1 – An email from Rick Kronk. Do you remember reading what he wrote a few a weeks ago when a genuinely nutzoid pastor in Florida was ready to ignite WWIII by burning copies of the Qu’ran? If you don’t, or if you want to refresh your memory, it’s here. I’ve read other works by Rick and admire him as a writer/thinker/scholar. He’s got a new book and asked if I would let you know about it. It’s called Dreams and Visions: Muslims’ Miraculous Journey to Jesus. I’m very anxious to read it myself. You may have heard me speak of this topic myself over the past few years. If you are interested, go to Rick’s blog at http://nouvelleoptique.wordpress.com/, click donate and that will take you a PayPal page. if you don’t have a PayPal account, you can also use a credit card. If this is something you have wondered about, I am sure that what Rick has to say will challenge your perspective and give you plenty to think about.
Exhibit #2 - Were you at prayer ministry tonight? Wow! Han and Vivian really brought it home. They are Korean Americans who work in K_rdistan. He has a business there where he makes the life of Jesus Christ openly visible through his own life. He is the poster child for what we have called “The New Missionary.” They have been here at KCBT for a couple of weeks of R&R and we have loved getting to know them. They are of a kindred spirit and we are excited about how we can work more closely together for the sake of the Kingdom. Hearing him speak briefly tonight was both fascinating and convicting.
OK, here’s the deal. I have no idea when you’ll hear from me. I promise I won’t disappear completely. For the next 48 hours or so I will pretty much literally be up in the air. I leave Thursday morning and get to Chiang Mai something like a week from Tuesday, or last Friday, or – Man! I hate it when you have to cross that International Date Line. I always get confused. Anyway, I shall return!