Back in the saddle

14 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  It was great to be back in the office today in to my normal routine.  I felt we had a GREAT Lead Team meeting and prayer and planning session.  Today we took on our first stab at monthly evaluations.  I blogged a while back about some leadership shifts I felt I needed to make.  This was one of them.  I feel we have an AWESOME office and staff environment.  I love the fact that I consider ALL of our staff my friends.  I was talking to Grant about the fact that if I want to go to a movie with some friends, the first people I’m calling are the men on my team.  I know many people say never to hire your friends, especially in the church world.  MAN, I can’t imagine doing this with ANYONE BUT my friends.  I trust EACH guy on my team with my life.  Charging my hill I don’t want anyone but them.  In that though, creates some interesting work dynamics.  The guys I hang out with, I also employ.  The guys I laugh and joke around with also have to lead.  The guys I consider some of my closest friends, I have to boss.  I felt like providing an accountability and evaluation monthly was a way I could be a better leader, without just listing some things I see.  Each month all the staff fills out an evaluation form.  On it, it has job related, spiritual related and personal related questions.  I get to pray with and for them specifically and individually, and then talk about where they are at in those areas.  I met with Grant, Andy and Terri today and thought that they all went really well.  Adam has more problems so I’m taking on his tomorrow. LOL  Curtis’ is coming too.  I don’t want these times to be me telling them what to do better.  If done right, these times will be the Holy Spirit revealing to them areas of improvement.  Accomplished goals.  Prayer needs and personal struggles.  I have a church planter friend who we are going to do evaluations on each other so I have that same accountability as well.  I think this is a good step for the team at Element.  Look forward to seeing the progress of each one of us as God continues to mold us.  I firmly believe He is NEVER done with us.  There is always more God can do in me.

Being molded,

Jeff


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One Prayer (Day 15)

14 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  We are halfway through our month of One Prayer.  Crazy it’s already half over.  I failed to blog yesterday on Acts 14 so I’ll throw a few thoughts in on that today.  Our prayer today is “Lord, make us wise!”  I’m reminded of Solomon each time we talk of asking for wisdom.  James says “If any of you lacks wisdom to ask God and He’ll give it to you”.  Please pray for the churches listed on the calendar as well.  Today is Acts 15 our Bible reading.  You can read it HERE online (Also added ch. 14).

Acts 14:1 — The effectiveness of Paul and Barnabas continues.  The “same thing” happened in the next town.   What is the same thing?  The people begging them to stay.  Crowds listening to the Word of God.  AND, critics!

Acts 14:3 — Despite the critics and opposition, the apostles “preached boldly” about the grace of God.  We need to preach boldly about the Truth of God’s Word.  REGARDLESS of who opposes us.

Acts 14:11-18 — Their new hearts revealed again.  Now some people wanted to make them gods, but they flat out refused.  Power, honor, affirmation, worship, DIDN’T MATTER TO THEM.  “We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in it.”

Acts 14:19-21 — WHAT?  Paul was stoned by the members of the town.  But he got up and walked back in to the town.  Probably preaching.  Crazy.

Acts 15:5 — All of Acts 15 is about the conflict between Jewish believers and Gentile believers.  The Jews wanted the Gentiles to adhere to their “traditions” or they couldn’t be Christians.  Hmm, that sounds a tad familiar.  “Look, act, and talk like us then you can be in our church”.  We see this well in 15:5.

Acts 15:8-11 — Peter defends the Gentiles saying that “He cleansed their hearts through faith”.  NOT by our traditions or our laws.  He told the Jews they were challenging God, by putting unnecessary burdens on the Gentile converts.  He says “We are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus”.

Acts 15:19 — “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”  I think some of mis-construed this verse by saying we shouldn’t challenge people to flee from sin.  That we should just let new converts continue “sinning” because we don’t want to make it difficult for them.  This verse has NOTHING to do with sin and EVERYTHING to do with tradition, made made requirements, and the “law” of Moses NOT the commands of God.  We need to make sure that we don’t put unnecessary burdens on people but we MUST challenge ALL converts whether new or old to flee the life of sin and pursue righteousness!!

Acts 15:20-35— I think it’s funny that they still include some “traditions” that must be kept in their letter to the Gentiles.  They didn’t require circumcision but kept a couple of “simpler” traditions included in the requirements to be a believer.  Interesting.

Still learning,

Jeff


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