D
Meet the Christian creative class
Faith FE
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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.
Faith FE
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Chief Editor Assistance Editor Editorial Staff
Linda Pintus Rebecca Hines Stephen Crawley Tim Robinson Jenny Cummins
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Stephanie White Jamiel Cotman Will Doniker Lance Cummins
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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.