October is Pastor’s Appreciation Month (believe it or not) and my congregation took up a special offering to bless LeeAnn and I for our hard work. Honestly it was a surprise and a real blessing. How great a group of people do we have that think about us and let us know how much they appreciate us?? Amazing.

Once again, I am constantly the one that feels blessed to get to do what I do. I long for the day when I can do more and give more. I know that this year has been an amazing journey and that this church is just beginning to experience God’s blessings….but seriously…we really do have some of the best people on earth. I’m a very proud Pastor.

Thanks to all at SouthView for blessing us more than you can know.

M

Posted: October 26th, 2009 under Church info.
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ENOUGH SAID….

M

Posted: October 19th, 2009 under Sports.
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-Every worship song would start with the worship leader giving a shout out to himself by mentioning his/her name in the song.

-The drums would be turned up real loud.

-Turntables would be more important than acoustic guitars.

-The worship team would now include backup dancers.

-They would also have a group of people that just stood around and hung out behind the worship leader.

-Every worship song would have a killer hook sung by a woman or sampled from another worship song.

-There would be a lot more guest appearances.

-Worship leaders would be required to wear more “bling” and their wireless mics would have to be chromed or golded out.

-You would now start off your worship service with the Black Eyed Peas song….”I got a feeling…that today’s going to be a good service….”

-Kanye West would interrupt the last worship song and mention that the previous song was truly a better worship song than this one you are currently doing.

-Kanye West would then come up during announcements and apologize for what he said earlier.

-Your production team would now consist of a sound guy, a multimedia guy, a lighting guy and a pyro-technics guy.

-There would definitely be more dancing in church than there is now.

-Either Timbaland, Will-i-am, the Neptunes or P Diddy would be your music director.

-Maybe the congregation would finally show up on time for worship???

M

Posted: October 12th, 2009 under Worship.
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Sunday’s message was a tough one. Not only did I share my heart and past mistakes but it was a wake up call to couples to come clean and honest. Purity is a great word, but when you ask someone to live it, it’s a different story.

I’ve been around churches and pastors all my life. I’m seen my share of the great ones and some that I feel should be looking for a new job. One of the most important things I love about a great pastor is his transparency. Does he seem like one of us, or does he paint a picture of his life that makes you think he might be God’s “other son”? People tend to understand and learn from someone that has gone through it. They want to know that they aren’t the only person that feels this way.

One of the most powerful things Jesus did was to become a man. He literally went through everything we went through and lived a sinless life.

Hebrews 4:15

¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.

As a leader, don’t lose focus on the purpose…to lead by example. You want your congregation to give big, then you give big first. You want volunteers to show up on time and do their best, then don’t come strolling in after worship, preach your message and leave. Be the first in and last out. If you want your church to be a house of worship, then get up in the front row and worship God with all your heart. Let them see the kind of worshippers you are looking for. If you want people to live a righteous and pure life, then have it start with you. Live the life and show others how to do it. Be transparent. Don’t hide your failures; they are just going to come out soon or later anyway. Be accountable, be teachable and most importantly, be REAL!

I’m a firm believer that God is looking for real people to use. He doesn’t call the skilled but equips those He calls. If you have the heart, God can work with you. The days of men coming out of seminary and walking into their jobs as pastors are starting to change. That doesn’t say we aren’t supposed to continue to learn and study, but being “unqualified” shouldn’t stop you from taking the lead. David, Moses, Joseph, Peter, Paul…none of them were qualified. But they lived a real life of devotion unto God and allowed their lives to be examples, GOOD and BAD, for others to see. Look how much we can learn from David’s mistakes. Hearing Peter’s struggles both inspires and teaches us. My hope is that my life can do the same.

Pastors - It’s time to get real. You’re accountable for your congregation. Lead them with purity and honor.

M

Posted: October 5th, 2009 under Church info, Leadership.
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