Faith FEED Jul 2014

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Meet the Christian creative class

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Innovative

Pastors How innovation is taking old ministries to new levels.

60 Learn how ministers like Rev Harry of East Oakland use God Encounter to hit the streets.

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Chief Editor Assistance Editor Editorial Staff

Linda Pintus Rebecca Hines Stephen Crawley Tim Robinson Jenny Cummins

Contributors Production

Stephanie White Jamiel Cotman Will Doniker Lance Cummins

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FaithFEEDMag@gmail.com 808-419-7583

60

Reach the streets with your witness

22 Who is the innovative pastor?

8 How mighty ministries and pastors fall

Editors

Feed

This one’s for our beloved pastors and leaders. Innovate or die.

So, we’ve richly stashed this

L

eadership. It’s something we can’t stress enough. Or haven’t you noticed? The world is looking, in one way or another, for followers. Followers on Twitter. Followers at church.

Fans, admirers, likes, whatever it’s called, Satan’s plan is for you to never step up, stand out, and draw people closer to the Christ. That is why we wanted to focus on, once again, leadership, only this time within the walls of today’s churches.

edition with info for the modern pastor, who wants to innovate strategies whereby he can bring others to Christ. And, as is our nature, we brought up a lot of stuff to bring out the leader in everyone, pastor or not, who reads this issue.

I hope you’re one of those two.

-Linda

Managers

I

Feed

nnovation. It’s what we’re all about. Right? Wrong! Today, there’s a craze for innovation, particularly in the business and organizational development realm. But you know what, so what! Who cares? Innovation, for the sake of innovation, isn’t

we can’t help but notice that modern Christians push against the cornerstones of innovation, particularly using it to serve Him.

innovation for long. Its

So, that’s what this edition adds to the

annoying, useless, boring, and

culture today. How todays pastors,

irrelevant. Take your pick.

leaders and everyday people can be

What we’re all about, [says Rebecca] is the Christ.

However,

more innovative, not just to be innovative, but to be Christ like in today’s world.

-Jamiel

Will Doniker

W

How The Mighty Fall

e’ve all heard it.

The story of a great ministry, big or small, that was doing amazing things for God’s kingdom. People were healed.

The hungry were fed. The dead were raised. And then suddenly, out of the blue, it happens. Now, don’t pretend you don’t know what ‘it’ is. ‘It’ can be anything.

An adulterous affair.

Child molestation.

Every church was

Misappropriating funds.

meant to be great, but

Bad press.

then, something

The list goes on.

happens.

You see, the ‘it’ that makes

Because I’m convinced, mighty

people leave previously great

works of God are under minded

churches, isn’t typically where

by poor leadership decisions

‘it’ started. What if I told you that

that cause church organizations

a pastor stepping out on his

and ministries to go under.

wife, is never the reason? What

Phase 1 Hubris

if I showed you a step by step process, that failing churches went through, right before they fell, but didn’t realize it?

A Wall Street Story Jim Collins, author of, ‘How The Mighty Fall’ believes that failure, like cancer, comes in stages. The earlier stages are hard to notice, but easy to stop.

The latter stages are hard to stop, but easy to notice. Having looked at this pattern amongst great organizations around the world, I want to retrofit it for the modern church and ministry.

Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18 Hubris is big headedness, born of success. It’s when a ministry, particularly its leaders, allows their accomplishments to create amnesia. Suddenly, they forget the concepts, culture and creed that got them there.

Different from forgetting, hubris is arrogant neglect.

The Greek word is rooted in

excessive pride that brings down a hero. Another of its meanings is outrageous

arrogance that inflicts suffering upon the innocent.

Though it seems sudden, ministry failure tends to happen in a very distinct order.

We see these steps in ministries that fail.

Step 1 They outline a group of people that they would like to serve, be it a demographic, or a social condition such as the sick or poor. And then they find an overlooked solution in serving them that other ministries aren’t employing.

Step 2 Meeting this overlooked need creates rampant even violent success!

Now we’re talking cars lined up all around the neighborhood to get to service. However, the leaders begin to think that new opportunities will sustain their success better than what they did initially.

Step 3 The church gives its attention to the new opportunities, new people and ideas instead of improving upon its core competency, the thing it did initially to create success.

Step 4 All of the new things fail outright or its costs outweighs its value [formula of a bad idea]. It either takes more money than its worth or more time.

Step 5 The ministry returns to its core value factor, the thing that created their initial success, only to find it deteriorating and out of date.

When you get out of touch with the people you’re called to serve, the end is near.

Mighty churches falling

2, an overlooked solution that

isn’t anything new. Jesus had to

you discovered that best serves

deal with it in the New

that group of people, be it a

Testament and spoke on it in

ministry approach, doctrine or

Revelations 2:5, “Remember

program. However, if we’re to

therefore from whence thou art

avoid falling, we must add

fallen, and repent, and do the

another. 3, continuing to keep

first works.” Every Christian

that solution strong and updated

leader has a “first works”. It’s a

so that you can continue

combination of two things. 1, a

serving the group of people to

specific group of people,

which you’re called, even at the

outside of your own family that

expense of all of the new

God has called you to serve

opportunities.

[we’re all supposed to serve our families].

Churches that fail the group to which they are called, even though pursuing new opportunities, often lose both.

Blind leadership is when those at the top lose sight of those at the bottom.

Like an artist who pursues

approach with creative

both enduring excellence and

improvements and intelligent

shocking creativity, great

adaption.� - Jim Collins

organizations foster a

Phase 2

Overreaching

productive tension between continuity and change. On the one hand, they adhere to the principles that produced success in the first place, yet on the other hand, they continually evolve, modifying their

Have you found honey? Eat

only what you need, That you may not have it in excess and vomit it.

It’s hard to argue that the primary cause of mega church

meltdowns is due to complacency. I mean, these groups grow rapidly! They take up colossal offerings! They’re ambitious! Yet, amidst all of their efforts, they get sloppy. A leader or two is cheating on their spouse. A sermon or three

The common denominator we find in failing organizations is that they lose sight of what it is that they do best, amidst all of the hype about their past.

lacks luster. An offering comes up short.

Overreaching is when ministry leaders confuse big with great and more with better.

A back room accountant starts

Shouldn’t we help starving kids in

skimming. But what’s more

Somalia?

dangerous is they get away with

Shouldn’t we translate bibles into

it! Seldom does anyone sound

Chinese?

the alarm when we overreach.

Sure, we throw rocks at the little church that can’t afford to do worldwide evangelism, but who regulates a big ministry filled with driven, catastrophic,

Shouldn’t we stand against secular politics?

No Christian leader dare answer those questions with “No”. So he approves it. Not realizing that its arrogance that causes brash commitments to more and more and more. And

Growth doesn’t bring

then one day, just when they’ve

ministry leaders down,

stretched themselves too thin,

rather, it’s the undisciplined pursuit of more.

they fall. Hard.

The problem of stage 2 doesn’t come from growth per se,

hardworking and creative

but the undisciplined pursuit of

people? Surely, all of these new

more. It’s when churches begin to

initiatives can’t be bad?

confuse big with great and more with better. Success and arrogance, creates pressure

Shouldn’t we help starving kids in Somalia?

Shouldn’t we translate bibles into Chinese?

Shouldn’t we stand against

When pastors allow

secular politics?

their own press to

No Christian leader dare answer those questions with “No”. So he approves it. Not realizing that its arrogance that causes brash commitments to more and more and more. And then one day, just when they’ve stretched themselves too thin, they fall. Hard.

The problem of stage 2

distract them from what they’re called to do, they fall, hard. to do more, setting up a deadly cycle of expectations that strains pastors, leaders and volunteers.

But not only that, pressure from previous success, taken the wrong way, causes the culture to

doesn’t come from growth per se,

pervert, insomuch that they

but the undisciplined pursuit of

celebrate accomplishment, even

more. It’s when churches begin to

if it’s an accomplishment outside

confuse big with great and more

of their mission. In fact, churches

with better. Success and

that overreach,

arrogance, creates pressure

will applaud accomplishments that go against the kingdom altogether! How many of us have seen a pastor support a politician with an unbiblical agenda? Or, invite a speaker with a secular message, just because he’s popular?

“It’s hard to argue that the primary cause of the Wall Street meltdowns of 2008 was due to a, When pastors allow

their own press to distract them from what they’re called to do, they fall, hard. lack of ambition. If anything, people went too far, too much risk, too much leverage, too much financial innovation, too much aggressive opportunism, too much growth”

- Jim Collins Phase 3 Denial The and the and

prudent see danger take refuge, but simple keep going pay the penalty.

Proverbs 27:12 This stage of failure most intrigues me. It’s when a church doesn’t heed warnings.

And before you mention a prophet showing up at the pastor’s door, I submit to you, the warnings that should be heeded, are far, far less obvious than that. And here lies the problem. Jim Collins says, “The greatest danger comes not in ignoring clear and undeniable facts, but in misinterpreting unclear facts when you face catastrophic

Unforuntatly, warning signs aren’t always as obvious as a prophet showing up to your office.

“The greatest danger comes not

and then their congregants.

in ignoring clear and undeniable

Seldom does Sunday morning or

facts, but in misinterpreting

bible study night fix these issues.

unclear facts when you face catastrophic danger” This looks like a church

What’s the solution? Jim Collins recommends three things.

One, ignore positive data. In

ignoring the fact that key people

essence, function as though this

are leaving. Or, leadership failing

is your first day in ministry, and

to address huge failures, but

you still have everything to prove.

instead, try to ignore it with more

Two, embrace negative data. You

singing, preaching and other

have to remain conscious of the

surface only solutions. You may

problem you’re called to solve,

make people feel temporarily

and the people with it. When you

better with a stronger worship

get out of touch with that, the end

experience or charismatic

is near. Finally, put a negative

sermon, but, at some point,

spin on unclear data. Hype has a

pastors have to do something

strange way of proceeding

about root problems amongst

results. Don’t get caught in it. Be

their leaders first and then their

aware of your mission, culture

and then their congregants.

and goals at all times. Only

Seldom does Sunday morning or

celebrate that which coincides

bible study night fix these issues.

with it. Given how difficult and

What’s the solution? Jim Collins recommends three things.

One, ignore positive data. In essence, function as though this is your first day in ministry, and you still have everything to prove.

Two, embrace negative data. You

gloomy these seem, it’s no surprise most ministries don’t employ them and fail as a result.

Function as though everday is your first day of ministry, and you have something to prove.

have to remain conscious of the problem you’re called to solve, and the people with it. When you get out of touch with that, the end

employ them and fail as a result.

is near. Finally, put a negative spin on unclear data. Hype has a

Phase 4

Dying

strange way of proceeding

This is when a ministry or

results. Don’t get caught in it. Be

Christian leader begins to gasp

aware of your mission, culture

for air. They start to bring in the clowns.

Copycat solutions that don’t add value to their ministry in particular

These churches were very weak to begin with however, the

Copycat solutions that don’t add value to their ministry in particular

mismanagement of biblical prosperity caused them to shut down completely. In fact, many of

Popular sermon topics that aren’t

them succumbed to outright

relevant to their congregation.

fraud. Contractually promising a

Guest speakers with big names.

return on investment regarding

We see much of these with the prosperity message, a very scriptural message that was strongly mismanaged by pastors during 2001 to 2008. Some experts even believe it had much to do with the housing market

tithes and offerings. Such is the case with the nephew of CeCe Winans [Michael Wianns Jr] or Abraham Kennard who promised pastors “… for every $300 you send, I’ll send $3,000 “.

This is when the board of

crash, that is to say, pastors were

directors brings in the clowns.

telling their congregants that if

Dummy solutions and placebo

they give enough, they’ll be able

answers that do nothing other

to afford a new house. Bankers

than make people “feel” like

thankfully agreed only after given

progress is being made.

them terrible loan products to do so with.

They make big promises,

It’s in its culture and what’s

injecting members, partners and

allowed. And yes, it’s in the

staff with “feel good” medicine in

sermon, music and services as a

order to keep the cash flowing in.

whole. Churches shut down, only

Instead of speaking through

after they’ve been dead for quite

actions, that clearly show

some time. And who knows, if

recovery is being made, they

they don’t have an impact as we

“mouth off” more and more, and

stated in this article, maybe its

bring in super star guest

Gods best for them to do so.

speakers and evangelist from other churches, instead of welltrained insiders, again, to create feel good publicity. Jim Collins describes the whole thing as gasping for air.

Phase 5

Be an exceptional pastor this year. Do all within your power to reverse the before process mentioned in this article, and watch your ministry and personal life experience new growth.

Death

Before you think I’m talking a total shut down here, think again. There are millions of dead churches in America alone.

There’s no life there. It’s in the building’s design. It’s in the people who choose to attend.

W

hat would a pastor others call “innovative� look like?

Innovative Pastors

True innovation transcends technological upgrades.

In their attempt to fit in and be cool very few pastors stand out.

I

A truly innovative pastor looks at nnovation. It’s something that

what best serves or adds value to

pastors feel un-obliged to do. Let

people, and often, it’s a healthy

me explain. On one end, you

balance between the old and

have ministers who equate “old”

new. For instance, putting in wi-fi

with “godly”. The word of God

and HD screens won’t make for

indeed, doesn’t’ change,

an innovative leader, if the

however, they fail to see that how

congregants don’t see much

we apply it, our understanding of

value in that. If yours is a small to

it, and our insight into always

mid-size church whose members

does. Next, you have the

don’t care to have that, it doesn’t

“modern” minister that equates

make you innovative to do so.

“new” with “godly” and whoever’s

True innovation transcends

leaning behind is out of Gods

technological upgrades. It can be

plan. Neither are innovators.

in something as practical as a new approach in communicating

sermons, or, how small group meetings are done. How many great ministries were started before Twitter, Facebook and even Google that employed this?

Great pastors press past discomfort and innovate on behalf of those they are called to serve

Innovation is always disruptive because others aren’t doing it yet. However, good

They think it’s outdated so they

pastors’ press pass that

omit its tougher teachings against

discomfort to reach those who

sin, about hell and other

innovation is called to serve.

necessary truths. These pastors

Here, I list a few things that

are not salty. They, “…teach for

innovative pastors do, that

doctrines the commandments of

causes their churches to see

men.” [Matt 15:9]. What a

growth like never before:

surprise, the most innovative

Innovative Pastors …

thing that innovative pastors do, is realize that preaching the

… Believe that Gods word is the

uncompromised word of God, is,

solution to life’s problems today.

in and of itself, very innovative in

Sounds common huh? It’s

a world that knows nothing about

not! Many pastors don’t think this.

it. However, in their attempt to fit in, be cool, and socially accepted, few pastors do this.

Innovative Pastors …

Pastors like Jimmy Evans and Rick Warren stay in their lane, and are very innovative as a result.

Kenny Luck has brought much innovation to modern men’s ministry using a digital approach.

Innovative pastors invest in whatever it takes to reach beyond their congregation, and for the most part, this means digital. They hold simulcasts, write blogs, develop downloads and YouTube pages.

True innovation can be something as practical as a new way to communicate a sermon.

Steve Furtick leading a concept he calls “audacious faith”

…Know and stick to what they’re

and healing, we see it with Mike

called to do.

Murdock and wisdom, we see it

There’s a special thing God called each pastor to minister on, more than anything else. We see it with Benny Hinn

with Rick Warner and pastoral care or Kenny Luck and men’s ministry. God knows the problem He

created you to solve. You’d think

that. If Gods called you, like

today’s pastors would know and

Jimmy Evans, to help out with

stick to this. Like Moses sticking

marriages, you should stick with

to leading the Israelites, Jesus

that as well. Too many pastors,

teaching the Jews or Aaron

think in

assisting Moses, those

Great pastors press past discomfort and innovate on behalf of those they are called to serve

order to be innovative, they have to leave their calling, when in who stay in their lane, tap divine innovation. Don’t try so hard to fit in, that you don’t realize you’re

reality, it’s your calling that makes you different, unique and yes, innovative!

called to stand out. If God’s

…lead churches without walls

called you, like Dave Ramsey, to

This one’s two fold. An innovative

assist the body of Christ with their

pastor realizes that his influence

finances, you should stick with

isn’t just to his congregant, congregants have influence over.

So he does all within his power to

but, to who his congregants have

They have a strong digital

influence over. So he does all

footprint, not because it’s cool,

within his power to equip him. I

but because it’s necessary to

repeat, an innovative pastor isn’t

reach the lost. They lead their

looking for followers, he or she is

flock yes, but they don’t overlook

looking for leaders. And it comes

the fact that both their flock and

out in their every behavior. The

the world they are to influence

sermons they teach; the

lives on the web. So innovative

resources they develop; the

pastors, like Jesus, go where the

classes they hold. Everything

people are, and create the impact

points towards developing

that wins souls.

people, that will develop people, that will have an impact for Christ.

The second part is innovative pastors invest in whatever it takes to reach beyond their congregation, and for the most part, this means digital.

They hold simulcasts, write blogs, develop downloads and YouTube pages.

Are you innovative?

Leadership expert Simon Sinek has real tips for pastors.

Why Pastors Eat Last Jason Hunt

T

he lion heard. Lions are my favorite animal. One thing many don’t know about them though is that amongst lions, the leader eats first. Even if the young and female haven’t. Why are the other lions doing this?

It’s because the leader is responsible for protecting the entire heard and needs the food to be strong for the fight. Today’s pastors and leaders can learn a lot from this.

The support of those who follow your ministry’s calling isn’t for you, it’s for the mission you live to accomplish.

The more work you have to do

That is why it was such an upset when the Wall Street CEO’s ripped

is putting yourself at risk to look after

thousands off during the 08

others” according to Simons Sinek,

meltdowns. We expect leaders to use

author of ‘Why Leaders Eat Last’.

their influence,

Real leaders put the mission first, the team second and themselves last. power and status to elevate those

According to Sinek, that’s the most

who follow, not bring them harm. It’s

definitive trait of a leader,-sacrifice.

why we offer them influence, power

That, when the moment comes,

and status to begin with. It’s for the

you’re willing to lay down what’s

wellbeing of all.

important to you on behalf of those

“Leadership comes at a cost.

You don’t get to do less work when you’re a senior you have to do more.

you love, those you lead.

“If we gave $50,000,000 to Nelson

sacrifice themselves for us, never

Mandela, would anybody have a

sacrifice us for themselves”. It makes

problem with that? No! If we gave

sense I guess. In the military, you

$100,000,000 to Mother Taresa,

give medals in the form of crosses,

would anybody complain? No!” Sinek

stars and ribbons, to soldiers who did

continues during his talk at 99U,

a valiant act on behalf of their comrades.

If you’re not meeting an overlooked need, you’re not really serving.

a learning organization for leaders, but what if we gave that same amount to Osama Bin Laden, Adolf

They stood in the line of fire while the

Hitler or a modern terrorist? We’d be

team made away safely; they caught

abhorred by millions! Those are the

an opponent that was picking the

exact opposite of leaders. “Leaders

platoon off one by one; they retrieved

are supposed to

a hostage or damaged an asset valuable to the enemy, such as a base or weapon.

Jesus said it best, “The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” [John 10:11].

In essence, they put themselves on the line, be it via their effort, time or money, on behalf of the wellbeing of others. Can the same be said of you as a pastor?

are leaders who sacrifice in time, money and experience. The only real measure is value itself.

Who, at any given time, is

Figuring Out Who Eats First However, we shouldn’t measure the sacrifice of a leader in blood. There

adding the most value to the congregation? That’s the real leader, in spite of who the pastor may be.

For instance, it may seem noteworthy to honor the guy picking up trash around the building, but, if he’s being paid to do it,

and, everyone’s respecting him as

That’s the difference between

an equal, his should not be the

selling and serving. It’s the difference

honor of a leader. A leader would

between business and ministry.

be the guy who committed to

Selling is exchange,-I do this, you

picking up the trash every day,

give me that. Serving is increase, I do

when nobody was paying him to

this, you go higher! So, in measuring

do it, and everyone was looking

servant hood, which is true

down on him. You have to take

leadership, it begs the questions,

into account the totality of not only

‘What causes others to go higher?’

what they did, but what that action

That’s where real leaders step in,

accomplished.

listen to those they’re called to help, the time to find out what works, The leader isinvest whoever and doesn’t, even though it costs

adds the most value, in

their precious time.

spite of who’s pastoring.

That’s where real leaders step in, listen to those they’re called to help, In this case, this simple janitor is

invest the time to find out what works,

adding value at no cost, in spite of

and doesn’t, even though it costs

everyone’s shortcoming of looking

their precious time.

down on him. Wow!

In fact, I would argue that time is one of the necessary investments a

He even gives you the sure path to

leaders has to sacrifice. It’s the only

becoming one,-servant hood. Seek to

one that you cannot get back. When

add value to those you desire to rule

you put your time into adding value to

over, even to the point of sacrificing

others, its sends a deeply imbedded

yourself, time and money.

signal to them to follow, honor and respect you.

The support of those who follow your ministry isn’t for you.

Step Up First, seek God about the cause and Jesus said it best, “He that would be

group of people you’re called to

chief among you, let him be your

serve. It’s easier to be a servant

servant.” [Matt 20:27]. Notice he had

leader when you already have these

no problem with the desire to lead, in

two in place.

fact, Jesus exonerated it.

We offer leaders support, status and influence, not for themselves, but for the wellbeing of all.

Second, meet an overlooked need. If you’re serving in a way that’s not needed, your efforts are wasted.

Remember, true leadership or

This only comes to the pastor or ministry leader who is out interacting with real people, investing their time.

There’s no exception.

Make up your mind today not to

servant hood is measured by the

take the support of others, whether

level of value you add. Giving them

it’s a listening ear, financial donations

what they already have has no value

or a word of support for granted.

now does it?

Realize, they are doing it, whether

Finally, be patient with them.

Patience is the investment of time. All too often, we invest money without first investing the time to find out where the money should go, how it should be used and for what.

consciously or not, because they hope you’ll use it to deliver them too.

Why Christian companies suck and yours will be different.

Open For Business

W

ant to start a business to

the glory of God and expansion of your wallet? Then take a few queues from us!

Here we list some of the biggest problems Christian businesses make: Not knowing the difference between Business and ministry.

You’re in business for one reason, -

We find too many Christians are being overly deep about business ownership.

Serving people just so happens to be

Making money just so happens to be

a means to that end. From there, you

a means to that end. From there, you

can see why you are or aren’t making

can create financial opportunities to

money by the level of your

help you serve others.

servanthood or value added to others.

You’re in ministry for one reason, serve others.

But since most Christians don’t know these two differences, their businesses don’t make any

money, yet, it has a bible in front of

to an overly-deep Christian person

the cashier, a pair of praying hands

and they go bonkers!

for a logo and a Christian business name.

Not knowing the difference between ministry and business has caused many Christian entrepreneurs

Your business and your ministry are two

different things. to fail in the business realm. Don’t make this mistake. If you want to do No! If it’s not making money, it’s not a

ministry, start one! Don’t force your

business. You measure your service

business to do something it’s not

to others, by how much they’re willing

supposed to.

to buy, continue to buy and pay for

Not understanding the importance of

your offer. But you go try and explain

business ownership

that to

This causes Christian business leaders to

Hang in there is a good bit of advice for give up and go find a job. Scott

startups.

Shane venture capitalist and entrepreneurial professor made it clear that entrepreneurs who stick with their businesses long enough

Not meeting an overlooked need

are more likely to see it grow than

Meeting an overlooked need is the

those who don’t. Duhh right? Wrong!

recipe of a successful business idea.

Most believers think if it’s to work,

However, most Christians start

God will just magically wave his wand

businesses that they see other

and do it. However, when they know

Christians succeed in. This is the

the importance of owning a business,

biggest red flag as that’s an already

the financial freedom it allows, the

occupied category. It’s sort of like

ability to build wealth it creates, and

building a burger stand on a street

the perpetual success it makes, the

with other burger stands. No! Build a

weakest minded Christian tends to

French fry hut!

stick with it. But most Christians don’t know these things.

This has a lot to do with market selection. The biggest needs right now are in the financial, technology,

Is your business

really meeting an overlooked need?

and business services market. Yet few Christians start businesses there.

Go thou, launch and be different!

Many believers think if it’s to work, God will just magically wave his wand and do it.

Critical Thoughts 1

Do I recognize that while I run a Christian business, I still have to make money and be profitable? While it’s good to serve others, I’m not in business to merely serve others. That’s what a ministry is for! A business has to make money to be a business. Serving others is simply a means to that end.

2 Do I recognize the importance of business ownership? I can’t pass a job down to my kids.

Owning a successful business is then key to building generational wealth. Also, there is only so much money I can work for. Entrepreneurship allows money to work for me instead.

3 Do I recognize the importance of business ownership? I can’t pass a job down to my kids.

Owning a successful business is then key to building generational wealth. Also, there is only so much money I can work for. Entrepreneurship allows money to work for me instead.

Are we creating an environment that brings others closer to, or, further from the Christ?

Your environment is the sum total of people, places and things to which you are exposed.

Selling God Linda Pintus

I

In either case, it was fun! We ’ll never forget my first time going to a school dance. I was 13 years old and was with Mandy, my best friend. We were an odd pair. She was always tall and skinny, and I was always short.

danced, especially with boys, but were fine doing so by ourselves. We both thought ourselves a bit special when a very popular, or, [ahh] older boy from a higher

I didn’t know it then, but my high school hangouts were strongly influencing my future.

Planting my time, effort and attention into a woman’s bible study caused my life to grow different results.

Every environment is selling

you on something for God or for the world. What are you

happened during those times.

The music, the people, the places and the things, all sold

buying?

me on being worldly. And my life was beginning to reflect it!

I began dating guys who, though older, weren’t saved, grade came to dance with us.

and simply wanted to have sex

And whenever it happened, on

with me.

the way back home, her and I would look at each other and

I began smoking, from time to

scream!

time, because it was a way to relax.

These dances became quite the money maker for our

I began having sex, because

middle school [Henderson] and

yea, it was fun and I needed

later the same applied to the

the approval of someone from

high school we attended [John

the male gender [or so I felt].

Marshall]. However, I didn’t realize that much of my adult

When I came into an in depth

life was shaped by the

understanding of God’s word [I had

influences of what

already accepted Christ], the Holy Spirit

I was sold on Satan.

That is to say, the culture I was exposed to, consistently,

You either change your

environment or your environment

vehemently, and often forcefully

changes you and those you influence.

sold me on the value of being worldly, and I brought it! I had a child out of wedlock, two

Selling God

abortions and continued Salesmanship is

drinking alcohol into my mid-

something a good leader,

twenties.

worldly or godly, knows how to do. Just as I was sold on being worldly, by music artists, carnal Your environment pulls on you to become like it.

Great leaders create great environments.

friends, secular teachers and a worldly environment, a good leader for Christ, does the exact opposite. He structures an environment that persuades the minds of others for Gods kingdom. He or she puts his kids in that setting and partakes of it.

Structuring the right environment is one of the most important things a leader does.

And likewise, good Christian leadership is all about structuring and maintaining a

A good gardener,

godly environment. Putting your

structures the soil so that

attention, mind, children and

his plants can grow

life, in an environment of Christian empowerment is key

A good president,

to your development, but also

structures the nation so

to your developing others.

that its citizens can prosper A good general, structures a battle plan so that his troops can win

Parenting One thing I did that really strengthened my then 10 year old daughter, was picking a

Whether it’s a parent, pastor or

church, and, asking our pastors

president, a good leader develops

to start a girl group. This would

an environment where their

be a fun thing for young girls to

followers can grow.

develop properly into Christian womanhood.

They approved it! Today we

hours before our women’s meet

welcome nearly 30 girls each

[many of the girls stay back for

month, and assist them in

that too], but, it connects young

navigating into womanhood via

girls to other young girls who

discussions on dating, boys,

aim to live right. Finally, we

being a wife, drugs, music and

attend trips and listen to

beyond, in front of an open

powerful Christian women who

bible. Oh, and my daughter

set a godly example for them

[Astasia] helps lead.

on a regular basis.

That environment is so

What a powerful thing for

resourceful for young girls. Not

my sisters and I as parents to

only does it take place a few

place our daughters in that

hours before our women’s meet

environment.

Changing your congregations’ environment

Pastoring As a pastor, setting a

will cause their lives to

strong environment means

change.

establishing solid programs with solid leaders. If you can’t think of solid programs,

just look at the needs of your people. Are they struggling financially, then, you should have one of the wealthier members do something once a month to help with that. Are they struggling sexually?

Then, yes, you should be bold enough to have a strong married couple teach on fidelity and building a sexually fulfilling marriage.

Thanks to understanding the power of environment, I’m a strong servant leader today, heading our churches girl group [note: initially, I asked for someone else to do this. I just wanted to attend], chief editor for Faith FEED and more importantly, a fun wife and mother! Not bad for a once little pregnant girl who liked to smoke

You may be thinking, “What if I don’t have strong leaders to put in charge?” No sweat! Develop them!

I’ve learned most pastors say this

and occasionally drink. volunteers who rise to the occasion!

because they don’t know how to develop leaders, only followers.

However, if you begin to work on turning your people into leaders [instead of giving up on them], you’ll see more and more volunteers who rise to the occasion!

Whatever type of people you don’t have, you can develop with proper enviorment.

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Evangelical Storytelling

Rebecca Hines

only If Practice you haveisathe burning place you can message themess worldup and not cost y needs to ithear

I

f you have a burning message

if you see the value in

the world needs to hear; If you

communicating the life of the

have a revelation of God’s

Christian message to others

word, that a select group will

listen up, I’ve got a story to tell.

die without knowing;

If you see the value in effectively communicating the gospel

O

nce upon a time

However, one local minister, with a heart for God, decided that a heart for God wasn’t enough to obey Him. We had to serve Him, like

the world was dark. There

Jesus suggests, with all of our

was no revelation of God’s

minds too [Luk 10:27]. So, he

word. The murder rates were

did something few Christian

high. The divorce rates were

leaders in his day did, he

higher. And by the looks of it,

This was a dark time,

the kingdom is shrinking as represented on earth.

but this local minister

become Christians.

Few people wanted Churches to

found a book that

lingered Christians. in attendance. The become worlds waylingered of doinginthings is Churches

explained why

more popular.

Gods’ way is attendance.

The world’s pushed to thethings back. was Those way of doing who it are highly moredo popular.

Gods’ way persecuted. was pushed to the back.

And whoever followed Christ was viciously persecuted.

Picked up a book other than the bible! It was a book about communicating in a way that the listener can’t forget. And from it, he learned this advice that caused his ministry to grow and change the world around it!

Tell the Truth

along. You can’t teach the gospel passionately unless you’re first passionate about the gospel. Once Gods truth,

Lead with the truth and the heart will

becomes your truth, you’re positioned to change the world for Christ.

follow.

Put the Truth into Pictures When we tell the truth we connect with our listener, we speak with conviction and creativity. Truth is the most

Lead with the eye

valuable component of

and the mind will

storytelling. People want something that is real, believable, and possible for their lives. That is why it’s important that Christian leaders know the truth of God’s word and are fully persuaded, not just dragged along. You can’t teach the gospel passionately unless

follow

Not only what was done to this fig tree... (Matt 21:21) Look at the birds... (Matt 6:26)

See these stones... (Matt

You can’t teach the gospel passionately unless you’re first passionate about the gospel.

24:2) Why is it that we put our truth into words, instead of doing like Jesus and putting it into pictures? Our minds are 75% visual. However, we’re seen as ‘intelligent’ when we’re wordy.

And we think visual presentation and explanation is ‘kiddy’. Well, no more!

Our minds are 75% visual. However, we’re seen as ‘intelligent’ when we’re wordy.

The goal isn’t to look smart, but, do what it takes to communicate the truth of God’s word, and that means visual.

Put the Picture into Stories

Storyline create a theme or pattern wherewith the listener can make your truth clear. Jesus

Lead with a story and understanding will follow

did this with his many parables, the secular world does it with films, however, todays Christian leaders don’t do it at all, or, undermine its importance.

God put something in you that He thought the world couldn’t do without. However, it will never come out unless you know how to communicate it properly with others.

Storify your message to make it multiple times more memorable

How God Encounter hits the streets without ever hitting the streets

Stephen Crawley

Street Preacher

T

he goal of street preaching isn’t

Without going to a church.

Without hearing an evangelist.

being on the streets at all, it’s

Without getting beat-up with

reaching the everyday people

scripture.

there. At least that’s our take from the members of My God Encounter. There, individuals,

How? We can start by asking

from everyday life, are talking

Natalie.

about how the power of God’s love changed them just as they were.

“

One day I read a blog written by a guy whom I had recently met. Who was a Christian. I responded to what he had written and shared with him my circumstance. He took the opportunity to invite me to church. I took up his offer and went occasionally, but nothing changed.

However one Sunday morning a few months later, the Pastor asked how I was doing. The superficial response “good and you?” wasn’t going to work this time. My heart was heavy and the Pastor knew it. Reluctantly I shared my story and he asked me if I wanted to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Not really understanding the effect of my response, I answered yes.

”

Though it involved church and a pastor, I want you to recognize the catalyst, - a blog!

Top Alton was a lust driven young man until he encountered

something far more fulfilling that made him give it up.

Bottom Eric shares his rebellions as a preacher’s kid

Top Frankie explains that he was a fornicator and church leader

all at once Bottom Dan almost died from drugs and alcohol

Street ministry is more about being transparent enough to connect with your everyday person walking on the street, whether or not you actually hit the pavement to do so.

I was just driving down the street when all of a sudden the light switch just turned on; and I heard the voice of God. Not only was I freaking out because I was hearing a voice but it continued on for the entire day and the next as well. On the first day of my supernatural encounter with God, He revealed to me not only who He was which was completely holy and other than anything I had ever known. He also revealed to me myself, and for the first time I saw who I was; not in comparison to the next guy or my culture or my friends or dreams but in light of who he created me to be.

I’m convinced one huge part of street evangelism that we’ve missed out on, is that today’s streets are extended online, websites, blogs and social media accounts as we see My God Encounter doing with their online presence.

But also that it’s more about being transparent enough to connect with your everyday person on the street, than it is about actually hitting the pavement.

eadership

A leader is to keep their focus on Christ while others are focused on them.

Stephanie White

When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

God told the leaders to copy the Word of God for themselves.

A

God told the leaders to copy the Word of God for themselves. leader is someone that others will

At this time in the Old Testament

follow; they influence others.

the kings did very little for

God has a plan for leaders and

themselves; they were served by

we see it in the above verses. A

others, but God said that they

leader is to keep their focus on

had to take on the responsibility

Christ while others are focused

of knowing the Word themselves.

on them.

The Word was to be with them and they were to read it daily.

we cannot revere the Lord on our

They were to ingest the Word

own. As a leader, we must

daily and the Word would

understand our desperate need

provide them with the Spiritual

for the Word. If we believe that

seed that they needed. The

we can accomplish anything

Word would enable them to

Spiritual on our own, then we will

revere the Lord and humbly

never depend on Christ and truly

follow His Word.

see Spiritual fruit in our lives.

God said that they had to take on the responsibility of knowing the Word The Word would also enable themselves. them to follow the Word. The The word “revere” means to live in awe of or admire and respect.

Our respect for the Lord comes from our intake of the Word. Our reverence for the Lord is a Spiritual fruit and it requires the Spiritual seed of the Word;

word “follow” was translated from the Hebrew word shamar. This word means to focus on, to regard, to protect, and hedge about. It describes the relationship we should have with the Word – we should remain focused on the Word; we should protect the Word in our lives; we should hedge it about in our lives.

A leader is to keep their focus on Christ while others are focused on them.

we should hedge it about in our lives. As we fill ourselves with the Word daily, we will begin to display the Word in our lives. We can lead as a reflection of Christ when we give the Word our attention day after day.

Every Christian needs the Word. Every Christian must depend on Christ for the Spiritual fruit they desire to see in their lives.

As leaders, we must exhibit this need and dependence. We must look to the Lord

As we fill ourselves with the Word daily, we will begin to display the Word in our lives.

for all of our needs rather than man. Leaders will be tempted to look to man for help, but help is never found there. A leader’s responsibility level is immense and so is our need to depend on Christ alone.

Leaders deal with trials and hardships. As a leader you will bear the burdens of many, while few will consider what you are dealing with.

You will never be able to do enough for everyone so lead others to the One who can. Only Christ can supply the needs of the group you lead.

The judgment and criticism of others can make leaders cynical and judgmental themselves. Leaders may take on a prideful persona because of the disapproval and condemnation of others.

As a leader, you will also be expected to take charge, but with that comes criticism. Many like to voice their disagreement, but few have the gift of encouragement A leader must focus on the Lord in order to ignore the fickle

A leader must focus on the

opinions of man. You can never

Lord in order to ignore the

please the entirety of the group you lead, but that does not matter – keep your focus on the Word and let Christ lead through you and the opinions of man will matter less and less.

fickle opinions of man.

God’s Word is the answer for man’s pride. A leader can lead humbly when they depend on Christ by remaining focused on His Word.

The work of a leader should be joyful and not a burden (Hebrews

Make the Word your daily bread and let Christ lead through you – you will then find joy in the work of leadership.

13:17), but many times it seems to be the opposite.

.

A leader can lead humbly when they depend on Christ by

remaining focused on His Word.

The joy of the Lord is our strength and joy is found in His presence – a leader must abide in the Word; it is to be their daily bread. The origination of your joy must be Christ; if it is not, then you will never find joy in leadership.

Stephanie White is a wife, a mother, a Bible teacher, and an author. She has authored four books and co-authored four devotionals to-date. Her website is designed to help share the Good News of God’s Word:

www.heavenonearthforme.com

Church Jerry Cummins

How to lead the flock without fleecing the sheep.

people will give money to it. But

Pop Quiz

unlike many of today’s pastors, I grew up poor, and where I’m from, that’s called welfare.

Question: How many offerings

Welfare is when you’re

did Jesus and Paul have to take

depending on someone else to

up to support their ministry?

support you. That describes most

Answer: None. They were supported by their businesses.

pastors today.

Your ministry shouldn’t need the donations of

Jesus was a carpenter and Paul

others

a tent builder.

Yet all too often, we pastors think that taking up offerings, is

the only way to support kingdom agendas. Why not have businesses whose funds go solely to support your ministry?

I’ll tell you why, because we’re convinced that if it’s God,

You may say, “Jesus took up money”. Not really. People gave. But he didn’t actually pass out buckets/plates for them to do so. Preachers may have you think that. He welcomed supporters, but did not actively take up offerings.

Living Word Christian Center But even if he did, Jesus said

already owns a mall. You heard

that we’re called to do greater

that right, a mall!

works than he [Jn 14:12]! I’m convinced God

A ministry dependent on

offerings is actually on welfare ! What if your church,

wants us to learn to do business,

ministry or none profit owned the

so we can do business on his

mall you shop at regularly? I

behalf. We can keep money

doubt you’d be hard pressed for

flowing into the ministry, without

a donation. Yet that accurately

ever having to take it from the

describes most churches.

people! People can come and

It’s time for Christian

grow, without their wallets shrinking.

Bill Winston is already doing it.

leaders to control the worlds wealth, so they don’t have to live off of their own followers to get the mission done. It’s time for your church to own a business!

News

Should Hobby Lobby stand against contraception?

Y

ou may or may not have heard, but, Hobby Lobby has decided to fight the tax forcing them to support contraception’s. However we, a Christian company, don’t agree. Contraception’s are not abortion. Its prevention! If Hobby Lobby, like other pro-life advocates, believes that life begins in the womb,

contraception doesn’t violate that belief, it honors it! Contraception prevents life from getting into the womb or incubating once it’s there. Unlike abortion, which, after life begins, kills it!

Yep, Hobby Lobby missed it if you ask us!

So as a message to Hobby Lobby, please, please don’t make we Christians seem any more ridiculous than we often do.

There are far better stances to make in the political, cultural and social realms that need our support.

Contraception is not abortion. Its prevention!

Do street ministers have their 1st amendment rights? Not according to this guy.

A

Christian street

Tony Miano, a former Los

evangelist was

Angeles Deputy Sheriff, was

arrested last week on

part of a street preaching team

a charge of alleged breach of

holding a weeklong mission in

peace with “homophobic�

Scotland. He was remanded in

aggravation after a woman

custody overnight Wednesday

complained that he had spoken

and later released on bail.

about sexual sin.

Miano was the second of the street pastors to address

lunchtime shoppers in Dundee

Miano’s colleague, pastor

High Street. He talked about the

Josh Williamson of the Craigie

nature of sin—about the

Reformed Baptist Church in

different sins that Jesus had

Perth, who was present at the

come to save people from when

incident explains: “Tony wasn’t

a woman began to shout at him.

focusing just on homosexual

He was preaching about sin in

practice—it was about all sin. A

general and when he mentioned

woman was yelling at him and

sexual sin including adultery,

her friend noticed we were

promiscuity and homosexual

filming the preaching, so she

practice, the woman shouted

ran up to me and tried to smash

that her son was gay.

my camera.”

He says the first woman

He spoke against sexual sin, and was taken into custody.

then appeared to be calling the police on her mobile just as a council warden came along and said that while we were doing nothing wrong, and had the right to free speech, we should move on.

Miano finished his

He says the male officer

preaching in a few minutes and

interviewed the women and then

as the street preachers packed

immediately arrested Miano, but

up two police officers arrived. At

did not question him or explain

this point Williamson says the

why he was being arrested.

women shouted that they would get the preachers arrested.

“After Tony was put in the police van I asked why he was being

“The female officer saw we

arrested and was told it was for

had a camera and lunged for it

a breach of the peace and for

and then the male policeman

using homophobic language,”

grabbed it and threw it in the

Williamson explains.

police van,” says Williamson.

After hearing the crowd complain, the officer immediately arrested the evangelist!

Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.

Though active and visual learning are proven to be more effective, most pastors only preach.