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Our individual strength, no matter how great it is, cannot equal the strength created when we join forces as a team. -Kevin Gerald
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Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — HELEN KELLER
FEATURES
1 0 EXCHANGE BY KEVIN & SHEILA GERALD 1 6 COMING TOGETHER BY PASTOR STOVALL WEEMS 2 0 PHALANX
BY KEVIN GERALD
16 20
IN THE KNOW 6
Love Week Recap CHAMPIONS FOUNDATION
IN EVERY ISSUE FALL 2013
3 LET’S TALK 4 YOU TO US 14 CHAMPION FINDS
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ABOUT US Champion Life Magazine purposes to equip people to live successful Christian lives.
26 REAL LIFE CHAMPIONS 28 K. WISE
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E XE CU T IVE PU B LIS H E RS Kevin Gerald & Sheila Gerald
E DITO R-IN-CH IE F Jodi Cameron
S E NIOR P ROJE C T MANAGE R ART DIRE C TOR
Jen Mueller
Dallas Drotz, Drotz Design
CONT RIB U T ING E DITORS
Abbie Buck, Kim Ludwick,
Judi Shackett, Carissa Dwyer CONT RIB U T ING P H OTOGRAP H Y
Ardorlit Photography, Josh Buck Photos CONT RIB U T ING GRAP H IC DE S IGN CONT RIB U T ING WRIT E RS
Venessa Koehn & Mickey Elliott
Kevin Gerald, Sheila Gerald, Jodi
Cameron, Shawn Roberts, Corianne Burton, Stovall Weems DIST RIB U T ION
P RODU C E R
Kim Ludwick
Champion Life Magazine is produced by Kevin Gerald
Communications (KGC). KGC is a department of Champions Centre in Tacoma | Bellevue, WA, a non-profit organization.
TO S U B S CRIB E championscentre.com/magazine Phone: (toll-free) 888-935-6914
TO S P ONS OR
If you are a business who would like to partner with
our magazine through distribution or sponsorship please contact us at: 253-475-6454 x361
QU E ST IONS / COMME NTS / IDE AS
Let us know. We welcome your
feedback. Please write us at: championlife@championscentre.com
MAIL Champion Life Editorial 1819 E. 72nd St. Tacoma, WA 98404
Produced by Champions Centre Publishing Š 2013. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without expressed written permission is prohibited and a violation of applicable laws. 2013 copyright. Printed by Print NW
LET’S TALK.
Recently, while filling out a survey questionnaire asking to list competitors, a couple of our staff members said they put down other churches in our area as the direct competitors of Champions Centre. Seems logical from a business standpoint probably, church vs. church, where we share the same audience of people who believe in God. But I disagree.
COME TOGETHER
You see, I believe that our list of “competitors” for Champions Centre aren’t found within the religious sector of culture. Actually, because of who we are trying to reach - those who don’t know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior - the audience we’re trying to attract may not even be drawn to a church to begin with. Which means that our “competitors” are things like NFL games or other professional sports, family birthday parties, shopping, nice weather, snow days, the snooze button, DIY weekend projects, camping trips, do you get the picture? It’s not about my church against your church or another church, in fact, we’re all on the same team working hard for the same coach. Here we are, in the age of the greatest opportunity for the Church around the world to Come Together in strength, unity, and plan. The Church has always been God’s PLAN A, there is no plan B when it comes to reaching the world with the gospel. Each and every one of us have a place in advancing God’s plan on the earth. It’s not just about being the lead pastor of a church or on a church staff to do ministry - it’s about doing what you can, with what God’s given you, wherever you are. As you take a look at this issue of CLM with our focus on this whole idea of “Come Together,” find new ways to challenge yourself to move from “me” to “we” when it comes to serving God’s mission on the planet -- in your personal life, your work life, and in your church life, to start with. In the past 50 years alone we have seen church attendance around the globe grow overall. In the last decade, we have seen churches from different backgrounds partnering together in conferences, outreaches, and special events. We have seen neighboring churches coming together in their community as partners instead of competitors.
P.S. Tell us your story at championlife@championscentre.com
We are living in a generation where you and I could be eyewitnesses to the highest levels of UNITY in God’s Church that has ever existed since the days of Christ and His disciples. Imagine what God can do with that!
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YOU TO US I am so blessed because of the people at Champions Centre, I was so welcomed, and invited by everyone, and it became my home. I serve here at church, and I do what I can to become the best Christian God has made me to be. I'm a new person now. All because I accepted an invitation. Not knowing that I'd be Blessed by Jesus. Thank you so much. —Aaron (age 14) My son and I’s lives are richer in every way because of our relationship with God and because of the Leadership both Pastor Kevin & Sheila provide at the Champions Centre. I cannot thank you enough for providing such a wonderful church environment that makes people of all ages want to keep coming back. — Gloria L.
I have finally realized that if I cannot depend on God and have Faith in him to take care of my finances, my family, and myself, then I am not allowing him to help us and bless us. I have been closing not just myself off from God’s grace, but I have essentially been holding my family back as well, by not allowing God to work in my life. For me tithing has been a missing piece of my puzzle, my life. — Jorie E
What you’ve said about @championscentre in 140 characters or less
Volunteers @ChampionsCentre Thank you for all you do! No role is insignificant. What you do matters and has eternal consequences. — @RobinRMcCoy
Love visiting our @championscentre #northtacoma fam! #onechurchmanylocations @ Stadium High School — @rockelle
Night 2 of #Oxygen AWESOME!!! — @SheilaWalsh
@ChampionsCentre @kevingerald Praying for you all for the new series! See you in August! -@craiggroeschel
"Until you experience excellence, you won't be able to identify mediocrity" @Ry_Cam #championscentre #kaizen
WATCH THIS VIDEO:
You have a story, and we want to hear it! What is God doing in your life through the ministry of Champions Centre? PLEASE WRITE US AT: championlife@championscentre.com MAIL: Champion Life Editorial 1819 E. 72nd St. Tacoma, WA 98404
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TEAM LOVE WEEK SPOTLIGHT: RECAPCELEBRATE RECOVERY
This was by far one of the best BBQ's this Battalion has had! I talked to some of the soldiers and asked what they thought and they loved it. They said the food was great and the servers were awesome and so friendly. We defend and die for this country; on call 24/7. It's nice for the soldiers to see that someone does care outside the military." - SSG CARNEY DAVID J.
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In June 2013, Champions Foundation teamed up with Champions Centre and many organizations in the Northwest to honor our communities with love. In 8 days, volunteers gave heart, soul, sweat and tears to making our cities better. Thank you to everyone who supported Love Week. Here’s some highlights.
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TOTAL AMOUNT OF VOLUNTEER HOURS:
7,250 IN 8 DAYS
LOVE WEEK RECAP
WORLD VISION DISASTER KITS ASSEMBLED IN 1 WEEKEND:
JBLM (Joint Base Lewis-McChord): over
300 111
1500
soldiers fed at BBQ for Warriors in Transition,
soldiers in Afghanistan adopted and care packages sent.
It was a powerful night with much traction and synergy. We heard so many powerful conversations going on and the non-profits that were there had a lot of interaction with people as well. Thank you for your continued partnership and friendship on this wild ride." - JASON PAMER PRODUCER MEW FILMS, RAPE FOR PROFIT FILM.
It was an incredible privilege to be at the Champions Centre and hear from Pastor Sheila and the panel how awareness can lead to action and to seeing girls, women and men leave the life." - DARLA FROM REST STREET MINISTRIES, STARBUCKS CORPORATE
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TEAM LOVE WEEK SPOTLIGHT: RECAPCELEBRATE RECOVERY
LABOR WAGES DONATED:
$ 87,000
(7,250 X $12 WAGE)
E HIGH WATCH TH
CASH & GIFTS GIVEN TO COMMUNITY:
LIGHT VID
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$$
25,000 $$
POUNDS OF FOOD DONATED TO FOOD BANKS:
21,450
(FISH FOOD BANK IN PIERCE COUNTY, HOPELINK IN KING COUNTY)
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LOVE WEEK RECAP
ORGANIZATIONS WE PARTNERED WITH: ●
Tacoma Rescue Mission ● Rape 4 Profit Movie ● YouthCare ○ CareNet ● World Vision ○ Washington Engage ● Habitat for Humanity ○ REST ● Jubilee ● Old Navy ● JBLM Military Base ● JC Penny’s ● West Pierce Fire & Rescue ● Walmart ● Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplaincy ● Mustard Seed Deli & Marketing ● Fish Food Bank ● People’s Retirement Center ● HopeLink ● Arbor Village Retirement Center ● Vision House
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Exchange: moving from “me” to “we”
A GOOD RELATIONSHIP is like a GOOD GAME of PING PONG. In a game of ping-pong, somebody serves (initiates), the other person responds (reciprocates). This continues, and together the balance of initiation and reciprocation creates an ongoing exchange. The strength of any good relationship, like any good ping-pong game, is in the ongoing exchange between those in the relationship. Those who are in healthy relationships do two things well: they initiate, and then they reciprocate. If I’m the initiator: I’m waving at you, I’m serving you, I’m greeting you, or I’m starting the conversation, showing interest, and asking questions. If I’m the reciprocator: I’m responding to you,
BY KEVIN & SHEILA GERALD
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continuing the conversation, I’m engaging in the dialogue, and saying thank you. The participation of the two people within the exchange is vital. When the exchange breaks down, the relationship breaks down too. You can’t have a good, healthy relationship without a good, healthy exchange. God created all of us to live in community. He planned for us to live in relationships that are supportive, encouraging, helpful and beneficial. In Genesis 2, when God created man He looked at him and said: “It is not good for man to be alone.” We are at our best when we are in healthy families, friendships and fellowship with God’s people.
EXCHANGE
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Ecclesiastes 4:9
- Two are better than one.
UNLIKE A NORMAL GAME OF PING-PONG, RELATIONSHIPS CANNOT BE ABOUT ONE PERSON WINNING.
A relationship game of ping-pong is an exchange that requires mutual continuation. We both have to want to keep going. If you lose, then I lose… if you stop, then I stop. In relationships, you can win a battle but lose the war. Every time we speak, we are serving up something to the people around us. Are you serving up encouragement or discouragement? Clarity or confusion? Problems or solutions? Confidence or fear? Joy or heaviness? We have a choice here: we can make it hard for the people we do life with, or we can do our part to cultivate healthy relationships. Philippians 2:3-4 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves… not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. One of the worst habits we can get into in a relationship is keeping score. Recently, to illustrate this message, Sheila and I actually played a game of ping-pong in our weekend services. I asked the audience to keep score as we volleyed back and forth for a few points. Then, I asked everyone, “What was the score?”
People shouted out from all directions: “3 – 5!” They’d been paying close attention, and tracking our score the way people traditionally score a ping-pong match. But, the reason they thought the score was 3 to 5 was because they assumed that Sheila and I were playing against each other. Sheila and I had agreed prior to that illustration that we were playing a different game than what others would assume: we called it "The no compete clause". We decided to work together to see how long we could keep the volley going. So, our score was actually something like 35 volleys.
Watch an excerpt from the ping-pong game here . You see, there’s the “ME game”, and then there’s the “WE game.” The ME game is based on comparing and competing. It’s the game that is the “I win – you lose” approach. Then, there is the WE game that is based on uniting. The WE game is all about “I win – you win.” It’s an approach that reaches for a bigger picture than producing an immediate winner and loser. The WE game strives to create win-win outcomes. If we want healthy exchange in our relationships it’s time we decide to move from “ME” to “WE.”
EVERY EXCHANGE IS PROCESSED IN THE FILTER OF OUR HEARTS.
Things get scripted on our heart from the experiences in our lives. Those experiences and events—the things said to us, the things done to us—become our internal dialogue, and our internal dialogue is constantly talking to us when we are in an exchange. Since our internal dialogue is constantly talking to us,
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EXCHANGE
it’s important that we give it something good to say. Our hearts are like a filter through which we process everything. A man who grows up hearing, “You’re an idiot. You’re stupid. I can’t count on you,” has those words scripted upon his heart. One day, this man’s boss says: “Are you going to be on time for that report I gave you?” An innocent, common question from an employer to an employee, right? However, what does this man hear? Behind that simple question, this man will hear the insinuation: “You’re an idiot. You’re stupid. I can’t count on you.” And, he reacts from what is already scripted on his heart. It messes him up at work, and makes it hard for him to receive correction and lead effectively. Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Luke 6:45 -
This scripture can bring so much hope: "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." Ezekiel 36:26 NLT God is for you. If you surrender the old scripting on your heart and start to meditate on the script He has written about you, He will give you a new heart. He offers us the life of blessing and the life of favor. He creates opportunities for us to believe His Word and walk in His promises. For years, neuroscience believed that our brains stopped growing new neurons at about 25 years of age. But, that belief has been overturned by data proving that we can produce new neurons our entire life: it’s called neuroplasticity. This is exciting because, once again, science has to surrender to the Truth of scripture! We are not stuck with “old scripting.” God’s Word, when applied to our hearts, gives us a new script to work from… our brains can adapt and change creating new thought patterns and habits!
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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2 -
WE CAN’T PLAY FROM THE SIDE OF THE TABLE .
Think of players at a ping-pong table—they continually position themselves for the most effective outcome. When it comes to the ping-pong table of relationships, so many people aren’t even positioning themselves at the table to play in the first place. The reason people stay at the side of the table in relationships is because of their hesitation to put themselves in harm’s way again. Relationships can be scary! Since we’re all working against early scripting on our hearts, it’s clear that we all have insecurities or doubts to combat. We filter everything through our potentially hurting heart: it can be easier to stand back (and remain on the sidelines) when it’s actually time to step up and get in the game. Yes, the risk is much lower on the sidelines, where you keep yourself out of the game entirely. Of course, if you don’t feel like a relationship is right for you, then by all means keep your distance-but, that's not the point we want to make here. We simply want all of us to understand that we can’t expect more out of a relationship than we’re willing to put into it. People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges. In the process of protecting ourselves from the risk of a relationship, we also keep ourselves from the rewards of a relationship. We can’t walk around with a DO NOT DISTURB sign on our faces. Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man that has friends must show himself friendly!" Let me use church as a reference. Over the years, I’ve seen people expect a lot more out of church than they were putting into it. You can probably relate, you’ve heard people say things like: “I’ve been here five years and I don’t have any friends at church!” or “People in this church are cliquish!” In their minds, they believe that they have built a case for that. However there may be several around them that would say things about them like: “We tried to connect...” “We invited them over… they’re not interested.” “They didn’t show up consistently and when they did, they came late and/or left early…” or “They never joined a team…”
EXCHANGE
It’s like they stand at the side of the table. They never pick up the paddle. Yet, they wonder why or how they’re not in the game.
WE HAVE TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE COMMON CAUSE .
All of us can get caught in a trap of comparing ourselves to others, and comparing often leads to competing. With you and your spouse (or perhaps your closest friend or a sibling if you’re currently single), one of you is always better with details. One of you is better socially. One of you is better with following through. One of you might even be more fun. One of you is definitely more patient, and it may even be true that one of you is more considerate of others. Let’s consider another example. At work, you start wondering why your supervisor has the job instead of you. The next thing you know, you’re not working as hard for them because you don’t want them to look good at your expense. Instead, you reason if they look bad, maybe you look better. It’s so important to remember that this is not a ME game, it’s a WE game. We’re better together than we are apart, and we have to work together for the common good.
PEOPLE WHO “ VOLLEY ” WELL CREATE THE GREATEST, LONGEST LASTING EXCHANGE .
Most parents of teenagers know what it’s like to attempt a conversation with a disengaged 13 year old… complete with grunts, uh-huhs, and one word answers to your questions. But the truth is, it’s not just teenagers. Adults often do the same thing! When we are disengaged, uninterested, distracted, we typically don’t reciprocate well. Those of us who live in our own worlds may have to put extra effort into initiating and reciprocating… or we miss every signal. Have you ever been in a conversation where the other person says something, and you realize about ten seconds too late that you were supposed to respond? The problem is, the moment they finish talking you realize that you have no idea what they said.
In our game, there is no standing here and letting the ball go by. We each have a job to do. We must engage. We have to pay attention. We must reciprocate. We each have to do our parts! The goal for us in our “no compete clause” volley illustration, was to put the ball where the other person was able to hit it. In our game no slamming happened. We weren’t going to put any impossible spins on our return. Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
You decide what kind of player you want to be in the ping-pong match of relationships. Our hope is that you begin (or continue) to see the value in initiating and reciprocating in relationships and that we can all remember to participate in ongoing, healthy, and robust exchange.
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CHAMPION FINDS
The Difference A Day Makes (CD, DVD) One Day changes everything. Every person who has encountered God up close and personal can tell you about the moment, the setting, the service or the date their life was dramatically changed. God uses people like us to create places and spaces and atmospheres where people experience God in a way they have never experienced Him before.
Mind Monsters (Book, CD, Small Group Series) Mind Monsters are those negative thoughts we all battle, the creeping shadows in the corners of our minds that feed our insecurities, worries, and fears. But the good news is, you can take control. In Mind Monsters, Kevin Gerald shows you how to recognize destructive thoughts, take them captive, and use biblical truths to overcome them.
Local 253.475.6454 ext. 361 Toll free 888.935.6914 Online kevingerald.tv
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NEW FOR SMALL GR OU PS
CHAMPION FINDS
Exchange (2 CDs, DVD) A good relationship is like a game of pingpong. One person serves the ball or “initiates,” the other person responds or “reciprocates” and together they create an ongoing exchange. In this message, Pastors Kevin & Sheila talk through the rules of relationships and teach us how to have a healthy exchange in our relationships.
A Year of Favor (4 CDs, DVD) When Jesus proclaimed the year of the Lord's favor, He was proclaiming the era we live in today and that God is turned towards man. When you turn towards God’s favor there’s a very real experience of favor for your life: freedom, hope, weight off of your shoulders, promotions, financial increases, and times of refreshment!
Timeless (3 CDs, DVD) Have you ever wished you had more time in the day? Or wondered where time went? People romanticize about the idea of having more time. But the reality is that our time here on earth is temporal. In this message, Pastor Kevin describes a God who lives outside of time, who entered the context of time to give us hope beyond time. His love for us is timeless and if you’ve ever wondered about life and death, and a God who transcends time, this message is for you.
RESOURCE YOURSELF AT KEVINGERALD.TV
Go online to find a wealth of resources, including free videos from Kevin Gerald and MP3s of messages.
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COMING TOGETHER IN PLACE AND FUNCTION
COMING TOGETHER IN PLACE AND FUNCTION Y ou know the Johnny Cash song, “I’ve been everywhere”? Sometimes I feel like that’s my life anthem. In addition to pastoring Celebration Church, which I love doing, I’ve also spent a considerable amount of time traveling, preaching in various parts of the world, serving in different mission outreaches, and connecting with thousands of people both within and outside the United States. I’ve spoken with men and women from all walks of life and from every corner of the globe. One compelling reality hits me wherever I go: We all basically want the same things. Whether it’s a father wanting a good future for his children, a young woman looking for a good job, or something much bigger (like global peace or national security), human beings all over the world, of every race and religion, have similar worries, hopes, dreams, and desires. We all want a satisfying and productive life. We all want financial security, meaningful relationships with friends and family, freedom from worry and fear, and some kind of loving legacy to leave behind. Most of all, perhaps, we want love. Regardless of what we may call it—luck, favor, or fortune— deep down, all of us strive for a life marked by true happiness, or blessing. Most people seem to equate that happiness with certain measurable outcomes, using a formula something like this: Right career + plenty of money + right girl/boy + right friends – pain and suffering = happiness. Can you agree that’s a common approach? But how often have you seen people who have earnestly followed this formula, and yet have continued to struggle to achieve that elusive…happiness?
BY Pastor Stovall Weems
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In a 2007 interview with 60 Minutes, New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady expressed both surprise and disappointment that his unquestioned fame and success had failed to bring him the satisfaction he craved. “Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there is something greater out there for me?” Brady wondered aloud to CBS correspondent Steve Kroft. “I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what it is.’ I’ve reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me? I think, ‘God, it’s got to be more than this.’” Kroft looked him in the eye and asked, “What’s the answer?” “I wish I knew!” responded Brady, shaking his head. “I wish I knew! I love playing football, and I love being the quarterback of this team; but at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me I’m trying to find.” Like Tom Brady, many of us spend most of our time and energy trying to
COMING TOGETHER IN PLACE AND FUNCTION
plug the right variables into our “happiness formula” so we can guarantee a good life for ourselves. While I think such an approach has several problems, here’s the one that does most of
We forget that whatever force has first place in our lives will drive our decisions and shape our futures. And no the damage:
matter how much success, fame, or money we have, if our priorities are out of whack, none of those things will make us happy.
I bet I know what you’re thinking right now? You’re probably waiting for me to drop the happiness-isn’t-the-goal-of-life hammer on you, aren’t you? Or maybe the God-doesn’t-careabout-your-happiness-he-cares-about-your-holiness bomb? Well then, I’m glad to disappoint you. Because personally, I don’t believe the desire for happiness is a bad thing. I mean, where would we even get the concept of happiness if it didn’t come from God? No, I’m convinced that in our search for happiness, God is our greatest ally, not our fiercest opponent. However, there is a principle we must master, one crucial truth we must learn to live by that few understand and even fewer put into practice: Happiness isn’t about more, better, or greater; it’s about order. Most people think that a great life is all about getting their needs and wants met. They believe that if they can check
everything off their “want list,” then they can settle into a satisfied life. Unfortunately, however, the items on their list never get checked off. In fact, if anything, their list just keeps growing. And if they try to chase down every item on their rapidly expanding list, it ends up consuming them. They wind up trying vainly to figure out why they can’t get a handle on it, why they don’t ever seem to have “enough,” or why what they do have never seems to satisfy them. Again, this is not an issue of need. It’s not an issue of effort or income or the right strategy. This is an issue of order, to which Jesus gave us the simplest of answers.
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 Our God-given formula for order and blessing and the most fulfilled, happy life we could ever experience on earth lies within this simple verse; seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Happiness is not an issue of what we need, what we think we need or even what we want. It’s an issue of Who is first. Many people read this verse and mistakenly jump to the conclusion that truly seeking God means that material things or normal, everyday concerns should no longer matter to us. But that’s not what Jesus said. He did not say that we shouldn’t seek those things. He simply said we shouldn’t seek them first. There’s nothing wrong with seeking a better financial picture for your family, a better job and so on, but there is something wrong with seeking them first. God never asked Tom Brady to stop playing football, anymore than he’s asking you to stop whatever he’s called you to do. He just doesn’t want those things to take first place in your life, because whatever has first place gets “the best” of us. I’m no exception to this rule, and neither are you. So let me ask you, who or what is getting “the best” of you? What factor most determines how you choose to live? What causes you to decide where to invest most of your time, money, and energy? How do you select which relationships to nurture and which ones to keep casual? What determines which commitments you’ll say “yes” to and which ones you’ll decline? Bottom line, are you living in a way that makes it evident that you are, “seeking His kingdom and His righteousness…first”?
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COMING TOGETHER IN PLACE AND FUNCTION
FAITH IN CHRIST MOST DEFINITELY SECURES OUR POSITION, OUR PLACE IN HIS FAMILY, BUT SEEKING GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS EQUIPS US TO COME TOGETHER AND FULFILL OUR FUNCTION
If we get the order right, and put God first in every area of our lives, He promises to meet our needs with unexpected blessings attached. And I’ve learned that a natural byproduct of putting God first is that we also begin to prioritize what is most important to Him, and that is His church. God’s “Plan A” for moving His kingdom forward on the earth is none other than the church; there is no “Plan B.” And moving a kingdom forward requires much more than taking our place in church each week, though that is certainly important. It requires our action; it requires function. The question we need to ask ourselves is, what function has God called us to play in moving his kingdom forward, and do our priorities reflect our commitment to that? You see, while our faith in Jesus Christ secures our position in His family, being part of God’s family involves both place and function. And this is where I see so many believers miss out on the rich blessings God has for them. They experience the joy and freedom that comes from the security of finding our place in God’s family, and that’s absolutely wonderful. However, God’s blessing for our lives does not stop there! Position and function are intertwined. We can’t function without position, but our position
Our position in the family of God results in access, but our function in the family of God results in impact.
must carry over into function.
For example, in my family, I have two positions: “husband” and “father.” These words not only identify my place in my family, but also my function. My marriage certificate and kids’ birth certificates prove my position. But it doesn’t mean a whole lot if I don’t also fulfill the function of husband and father in my family. Do you follow me? Imagine if, on the day Kerri and I got married, I had said “I do,” and then walked back down the aisle, got into my truck and drove off saying, “Okay, well, we’re married now so I guess I’ll check back in on Christmas, Easter, and maybe on Mother’s Day (if my mom forces me to come). Or maybe, if I start feeling guilty or don’t have anything better to do I will stop by. Until then, see ya later!” Any woman in her right mind would stop such a marriage before it even got started. You see, the marriage license and the wedding vows secure my place as a husband, but it doesn’t fulfill my commitment to her. My commitment to Kerri is not expressed in my position as her husband, but in my function as her husband. It’s the same with us in the body of Christ. Faith in Christ most definitely secures our position, our place in His family, but seeking God’s righteousness equips us to Come Together and fulfill our function—and that function always moves us beyond ourselves and into the lives of others. It’s where we actively take part in what Jesus is building, and that, is His church. In fact, the church is the only thing Jesus ever said He was going to build: “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). "My church" is possessive language. Not just any church, a church, or some church, but “My church.” The church is the bride of Christ and God’s chosen vehicle for displaying
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His glory and carrying His message. The church is why Christ died and rose again. As Paul says, “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). If the church is that important to God, I know I certainly want to make it my priority too, don’t you? We are guaranteed a permanent place in God’s family through our faith in Christ and his finished work, but position alone does not gain for us a full experience of all the joyful blessings we can have. It’s one thing to become a member of a championship-caliber team; it’s quite another to actually suit up and play in the game! And I can assure you, there is nothing more fulfilling than taking your part in what God is doing on the earth, through His church. So what does this look like for you? What steps could you take today to move from position to function? Could you start serving on Sundays or during the week? Could you come together with God’s family and join a group? How about sign up to go on a mission trip, or serve in a local outreach in your community? Perhaps you could start by prioritizing God in your finances, or truly engaging Him in worship. Remember, whatever has first place in your life will get your best.
We were designed by God to seek an outlet for our gifts and find ways to use them to create something of significance. If you don’t know what this looks like specifically yet, I encourage you to just jump in! Start somewhere. But decide today that you’re going to move from position, to function; from access to impact. Whatever has first place in your life will drive your decisions and shape your future. Let’s determine to live intentionally, putting God first in every area, and come together as God’s family in both position and function and discover the fulfilling life God intended us to have!
Stovall Weems is the founder and lead pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, FL. Celebration is a global, diverse, growing multisite church, with more than twelve thousand people in weekly attendance. As a pastor, teacher, writer and sought-after conference speaker, his ministry focuses on building the local church, reaching people with the gospel, and developing passionate followers of Christ. Stovall and his wife, Kerri, have three children, Kaylan, Stovie, and Annabelle.
PHALANX
PHALANX: it’s more than just being assembled; it’s about being aligned.
H
ave you ever driven a car with misaligned tires? I remember when we first moved to the Northwest we drove out the only car we had from St. Louis, Missouri. Most of the drive consisted of me trying to keep the car from fading into the ditch on the side of the road. It was hard work just to keep it moving straight down the highways. It was out of alignment. I was pushing, pulling, whatever it took to keep it on the road and in the end it damaged the car somewhat since we drove so many miles that way. When you drive a car that is out of alignment, it requires you to constantly readjust the car to keep it moving in the right direction. Too much effort is exerted in keeping the car on the road. The driver is tense and worn out, and the car wears down much faster. Being part of an organization or a team that is out of alignment is like trying to drive a car that is out of alignment.
For the military, there is a word they use to explain the highest level of alignment. I first learned about it when I studied a bit about the infamous 300-strong Spartan army who relied on ingenious tactics, lifelong training methods, and unshakable allegiance to achieve the impossible. Their unity was personified in what the military refers to as Phalanx (fay-lanks). It is a military tactic all about moving forward standing closely together. It’s more than just being assembled; it is about being aligned in the strongest sense possible. The Apostle Paul believed in alignment for the local church at Philippi and would ask the same of those of us in the church today: “Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:2). He was envisioning the alignment of minds, spirit, and purpose in winning over new believers. As a leader, there’s no greater joy than leading a team of people in Phalanx. And, at the same time, there’s nothing more difficult than leading people who are assembled but not aligned.
BY KEVIN GERALD
Think about the teams that have been part of your life so far. Maybe you serve on a team at church, or you’re part of a department at work. The team you are part of may be a family unit or maybe you have been part of a team for a class project or organized sports before. How much more effective could the teams in your life be if you were all aligned in purpose?
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NO ALIGNMENT IS BETTER THAN PARTIAL ALIGNMENT. After being a pastor in the Northwest for over 27 years, I’ve come to terms with the idea that the person who visits our church and doesn’t stay does us a better favor than the ones who continue to attend but are not aligned. If someone is partially aligned within an organization, over time that person may become like that tire out of alignment on a car - it becomes exhausting for a leader to constantly need to over explain, redirect, and pull that person back into alignment. It’s better for someone to create value with full alignment or move on with a spirit of honor to a place where he or she can be fully aligned with the vision. As a leader, I’m responsible to not entrust the stewarding of the ministry to anyone who is in partial alignment. Jesus said things to people who were with him such as, “if you’re not for me you're against me...” and, “if you don’t gather…you scatter.” If you are leading people in a department, be bold enough to free yourself from people who are partially aligned with the overall vision. This isn’t just true in a ministry setting, it applies to many other aspects of our lives as well.
For example, when we are in a meeting discussing what day of the week a follow up email to visitors will go out, we may disagree in the meeting, but if I decide the email will go out on Mondays, alignment means “we” decided the email will go out on Mondays. Why? Because, at the end of the day the GOAL is to achieve follow up and if we’re aligned in the goal then HOW we accomplish that goal shouldn’t be the cause of strife. Our goal is alignment of intention and purpose, not necessarily to agree on every decision. It is possible to be in alignment, even when you have a different opinion. An agreement-based organization can transform itself by shifting its focus from agreement to alignment. In other words, if a team is only concerned with agreement there may be constant tension and drama, but when it shifts from opinion-based to intention-based then small disagreements don’t fuel the fire of discord. A company can re-invent itself by putting more value on alignment.
It is possible to be in alignment, even when you have a different opinion.
Indicators of Partial Alignment: - The people who are with you are uncomfortable working with one of your leaders. - The people working with one of your leaders are not comfortable when you come around.
WHEN AN ORGANIZATION IS IN ALIGNMENT IT WILL HAVE DIVERSITY WITHIN A SHARED IDENTITY
Think of the soldiers in phalanx. They each may have different skills and strengths they bring to the battlefield but they are moving forward together with a shared identity and goal. Another way to look at it is that a healthy diverse organization is like a band playing different instruments; as long as they are playing the same song the diversity adds depth and variety. A diverse organization doesn’t have to be a divided organization.
IN HEALTHY TEAMS, ALIGNMENT IS NOT BASED ON AGREEMENT.
I love pastoring a church that is full of diversity. My wife, Sheila, and I dreamed of having a church with all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, passions and skills when we first started out in ministry. We have all kinds of teams, departments, and outreaches.
There is a difference between “agreement” and “alignment.” Agreement means we have the same opinion. Alignment means we have the same intention whether or not we have the same opinion. A team leader doesn’t always have to agree with me, but has to always be aligned with me since I have the big picture vision in mind for our organization.
The thing about a diverse organization is that it can drift easily into a divided organization. A “divided” organization is when the different instruments play different songs that don’t mix well - they’re not on the same page. Sometimes a divided organization is easy to identify and sometimes it’s harder. In an organization, “divided” doesn’t always mean there’s a spirit of strife, anti-unity or even
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that someone is insubordinate. Divided may just mean that your diverse organization has teams or sub-cultures with different values and vision. When my daughter was younger going through our youth ministry, I realized that our youth and young adults ministry had a different set of values and vision from what we had established to be a church-wide vision. It wasn’t created out of insubordination, but there was a sub-culture that was brewing. The chances are high when a sub-culture exists it won’t just be different; it will eventually clash with the mind, heart, and spirit of the organization. When an organization is out of alignment it’s like a strip mall made up of different autonomous stores that happen to share the same roof. When an organization is in phalanx it will be like a superstore - they not only share a roof, but they also share one prevailing, over-arching identity. Each diverse part is representing the overall vision. If you walk into the men’s section at Nordstrom downtown Seattle and ask for where the shoe department is the salesperson will walk you to where you want to go. Why? Nordstrom has a vision for over-the-top customer service. They are all trained to accomplish that goal throughout the entire store experience. It feels the same and sounds the same from department to department.
TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO CONSIDER:
Whether you are the leader of an organization or maybe you are an employee or team member, it’s important to realize the value you create when you are aligned with the vision of the organization.
How much more effective could the teams you are part of be if you were aligned in intent and purpose?
When there is a consistency of culture throughout the organization that is when true organizational alignment has been achieved. It’s a continual process, sort of like the landscaping a yard. Once the grass is mowed, the hedges are trimmed, and trees are pruned it’s time to water, water, water (unless it’s October-May in Washington State). Then, about a week later it’s time to mow the grass again, and then on week three the hedges need another trimming, and on the cycle goes. “Once aligned” doesn’t necessarily translate into “always aligned.” Alignment is a place of ongoing evaluation and adjustment. At Champions Centre, organizational alignment looks like our culture being transfused into every team and department. It’s when the team of people serving in the parking lot and lobby and children’s ministry are like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit with those who are on the platform. We don't always get it right, and that's when we know it’s time to inspire culture and vision again. Vision leaks, so we have to over communicate the vision and goals of the organization so people can remember why they are aligned. Do your best to be more than part of an assembling of people regarded as a team or organization. Figure out how to create alignment, first in you and then inspire it in others.
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MANY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER PRAYING…
“TOGETHER” IS A BIBLE IDEA WE THEN AS WORKERS
TOGETHER
… WITH HIM :1 -2 COR 6
-ACTS 12:12
T AND ALL THA RE BELIEVED WE OGETHER…
T
-ACTS 2:44
TAND …THAT YOU S FAST IN ONE ONE SPIRIT, WITH G MIND STRIVIN GETHER…
TO
-PHIL 1: 27
CONSIDER …AND LET US R… ONE ANOTHE ING NOT FORSAK LING THE ASSEMB S OF OURSELVE GETHER…
TO
QUOTES ABOUT “TOGETHER” THE IMPORTANCEF O “TOGETHER” 24
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TWO ARE BET TER THAN ONE… -ECC 4:9-12
ANT IT IS S A E L P D N A HOW GOOD GETHER O T E IV L S R E H WHEN BROT E THE LORD R E H T R O F . .. IN UNITY!! ESSINGS EVEN LIFE BL BESTOWS HIS RE.-PS. 133 O M R E V E R O F
GOD HAS RAISED US UP TOGETHER… -EPH. 2:6
FOR WE ARE L ABORERS
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Watch TC13 Videos. Scan here.
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REAL LIFE to fit in. My frustration began to eat at me and keep me awake at night. When I finally shared with my wife what I felt, I was amazed that she was feeling the same way. We both felt that we did not fit in and that God may be leading us somewhere else. What we did not know at the time is that God was leading us to a new place, but not a new church. Kim and I began talking and praying and purposed to seek God about what we were to do. Almost immediately things became difficult and we both felt discouraged. This battle led to three months of hard and difficult times.
rowing up in church my mom and dad always taught us kids the importance of being planted in the house of God and making sure our family understood the importance of the church community. Church is where I have met many of my close friends and it has helped impact many important decisions in my life, even going out of state for college. I do not remember a time where church was not part of everyday life. Even though I have been part of Champions Centre and Pastor Kevin’s ministry almost my entire life, there was a time when I almost walked away. I graduated from a very prestigious Christian college, Oral Roberts University, in 2004 where I was a chaplain on campus for my sophomore and junior years. I came home in May of 2004, quickly got a job and met my wife at work that Fall. We got married in 2006, and had our first child in 2007. We were attending church every weekend and volunteering on teams when we had the time. Though, at the time, we were content with life and attending Champions Centre things began to change early in 2009. Early in 2009 I started to question why I was at Champions Centre and began to doubt that it was the place for me and my family. I began reflecting on all the negatives and unknowns that I felt surrounded me and completely lost sight of anything positive. I saw "lost" opportunities, hurt, pain, disappointment and a place I didn't seem 26
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While sitting in church in late June we decided that we would sign up for the Team Church Conference and have that be our vacation. Right after service we went to the lobby and signed up. During that time I was telling God that if something didn’t change during Team Church, we were going to find a new church. We decided that week to also start looking for other churches to visit and try to find one closer to home. Living in Lacey the drive to Tacoma seemed to be too long and difficult. We ended up visiting a couple of churches but could never really make up our minds what to do. When Team Church Conference finally came we decided that we would attend the kickoff service in Bellevue on Sunday night. After an hour and forty-five minute drive my nerves were on edge and I was a little frustrated. We went into the service had a good time and learned from a great message. After service we got back in the car to make the long drive back to Lacey. It was during the drive home that something began to shift in me. On the drive home we decided to stop and drive by the VMAC where the Seahawks were starting training camp. I am a huge sports fan and had never seen it. What I did not expect was for God to speak to me when we got there. God began speaking to my heart as soon as we pulled on the street next to the VMAC. As I looked over the fields of the VMAC the thought came to my mind that these are fields made by dreams. Men work their entire life to make it there, even though they are just practice fields. All of the sudden I was flooded with emotion. God began to reveal to me that bitterness and pain was ruling my life and that it was not from what anyone or any church had done to me. It had to do with my perspective and my attitude. I had allowed my dreams to be pushed to the back so that my hurt and bitterness could become the filter in which I saw life. See, up to that point I had lived my whole life looking for the hurt, the pain, and the disappointment that I felt surrounded me.
S H AW N R O B E R T S
CHAMPIONS
“
YOU ARE THE ONE, THIS IS THE PLACE, AND NOW IS THE TIME...
As a young child I was diagnosed with dyslexia and had a pretty bad speech impediment. I am the youngest of three boys and grew up trying my best to be just like my two older brothers, but I never felt I measured up. I built a poor defense mechanism to try and protect myself but I always felt that I was playing from behind and had to work twice as hard as everyone else to keep up. Insecurity was my closest companion and became the only way that I could perceive life. My entire perception of life had become so tainted and contaminated that I could not even understand how much good surrounded me. During the conference over and over again my wife and I felt like God was speaking to us. Each message built on the last. Everything that God was doing in me during the conference culminated in one moment and in an instant my life was forever changed. That instant came when Pastor Jentezen Franklin pointed to the crowd, which seemed to be right at me, and said that there is someone here that is being held back by the poor perspective that you have of yourself and life. “Your poor view has made you feel like you don’t fit in and there is no place for you.” Pastor Franklin then said, “You are the one, this is the place, and now is the time.” I remember my wife looking at me at that moment and saying, “I think he is talking to you.” Even now, almost four years later I am brought to tears. God used him to speak directly to me in my situation and completely change me from the inside out.
”
The drive home that night had a completely different feel than any of the other countless times we made that trip. I knew that Jesus had brought me and my family to Champions Centre and that it is our home. I realized that Champions Centre is the place, now is my time, and I am the one God has chosen. God had led me and my family in a new direction, but the destination was still the same. The new direction was a different perspective and perception of life. Since Team Church 2009 I have been on an amazing journey. It has not always been easy, but the journey has been worth it. My perspective is so much better now. I feel like I belong and no longer feel like a stranger. God has put some tremendous and Godly people in my life that I now have the privilege to call friends. God has blessed my family in every way possible. My wife and I look forward every week to getting our three kids in the car on Saturday night and Sunday morning and heading to church. We no longer just attend, but we participate. We give everything we have to see the church and God’s Kingdom grow. I am so thankful that God reached down to rescue me right where I was at, and answered my prayers in a greater way than I thought was possible. There are so many dreams and plans that God has put in my heart that I thought were dead and gone. I can’t wait to see what God does in me, my family and Champions Centre in the years to come. Now every year the first thing on our calendars is Team Church Conference.
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K. WISE Seek and Find Agreement People who are content to bump along in life can afford to be indifferent, but people who want to be a part of life’s greatest victories will live in agreement with others. As Christians, our greatest opportunities are sometimes missed by not living in agreement. Paul told Timothy, “Don’t have anything to do with stupid and foolish arguments”(2 Timothy 2:23). Christians have too many stupid and foolish arguments and miss out on the opportunities of living in agreement.
“I appeal to you...that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you…” –I CORINTHIANS 1:10
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.”
–PSALM 133:1
Here are some things to keep you moving toward living in agreement:
• • • • • •
Get along with others. Have a spirit of cooperation. Participate with other people in the pursuit of a goal. Don’t be a person who causes strife. Don’t hang around with divisive people. Avoid arguments and quarrels.
Seek agreement, pursue agreement, and live in agreement, because in the place of agreement strength is multiplied. When two separate agencies come together, synergy is created. If one 2x4 can support one hundred pounds of weight before breaking, two should support two hundred pounds (mathematically), but in the realm of agreement, synergy is created which multiplies strength. We see this at work in idea sessions with groups. Individuals, without coming together, all have creative potential. But, in a think tank environment, individual minds synergize to tap into creative power that they are unable to access without coming together. If you take a chair apart, its individual pieces won’t even stand up on their own, but together they support the weight of a person. Our individual strength, no matter how great it is, cannot equal the strength created when we join forces as a team.
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COME TOGETHER
“Where two or three
in my name, there am I with them.”
-Jesus Christ