Conclusions. Most of us like to come to them as fast as possible because it helps us make sense of the world and gives us a semblance of control, even though many times those conclusions in life are deceptive and untrue, especially since control is an allusion in itself. Often in my spiritual journey and ministry leadership I have come to conclusions on what is right and what is wrong, what is theologically sound and what is heresy, what is great leadership and what is poor leadership; and because I have placed most things in nice, neat categories, I have limited my ability at times to be stretched in my thinking, thus limited my actions and growth. Unintentionally, I have thrown out some good things, actually some great things, because they were hidden in a lot of bad junk. Abuse leads to no use. But even when things have been abused, like truth, it doesn't mean there isn't some truth around or hanging out in the margins. The problem is, I have a tendency to miss things that limit my growth and development because I have not reflected or even taken the time to challenge my own conclusions. I move on only to find out I shouldn't have moved on so quickly. It is only later, when life has altered my perspective that I actually have the opportunity to go back and see how my own conclusions boxed me in and trapped me in a corner that was unnecessary. The biggest mistake I made as a church planter was I did not talk about the value of tithing, giving, and managing finances God's way in the beginning, actually the first couple of years. I was responding in my own head and heart to people "out there" who had embarrassed and abused God's name by attaching a heretical view of money to Him. So I made up my mind I didn't want to be one of those money grubbing preachers because it wasn't about that for me, and I thought if you love God, you'll just naturally give. I didn't want unchurched people to think that was all the church was after. Ministry has never been about money for me. I raised my own salary in most of my ministry ventures before church planting, raised money for the church plant, and didn't take a full salary for 2.5 years at Genesis. I hated talking about money, raising money, asking for money, even taking up the offering at times was an issue - only because I didn't know how to express my heart or God's heart on the subject. But now, 4.5 years into this journey, Genesis's biggest struggle is finances, like most churches. I think the reason is my disobedience for not teaching biblical truths from the get go and letting my personal conclusions and messed-up view of money get in the way of what God wanted to do. God convicted me about 2 years after we launched, and I began to teach the value of tithing, giving, and making smart financial choices. I have found out most people don't know how to keep a checkbook much less stay out of debt. I have never and still do not believe in the "prosperity gospel", but as I grow up, I am learning that sometimes my personal conclusions and my relationships to people, things, systems, and ideas can interfere with the truth of what God is wanting to do. I do believe God wants us to live above debt and support the ministry of the Kingdom via the local church, that everything comes from him and everything is his, that 10% is the minimum, and that only when he has our treasure does he truly have our heart. I learned that sometimes I came to faulty conclusions and created and responded to problems that did not even exist. It was just a matter of my wrong perception; I tried to fix a problem that wasn't even my problem, because I wasn't one of "those guys out there" in the first place, so why would I feel such a compulsion to stay silent about the one area of life we deal with EVERYDAY; it didn't make sense, and it is my biggest regret, not just because finances at church is a struggle, but because I failed to teach the whole counsel of God, and it probably hurt more people and kept them down in a bad situation or held them back longer than necessary to move into success and financial freedom; I still have guilt over it! What conclusions have you come to that are based in faulty perceptions rather than reality, God's reality - defined by his word? You might want to reevaluate your conclusions and go back, because sometimes you'll find you left stuff behind that you are supposed to be carrying with you! I did.
Craig Groeschel from LifeChurch.TV has come up with an incredible idea to unite the body of Christ in the month of June. One Prayer is a 4 week series combining churches all over the world, dozens of speakers, and hundreds of thousands of believers to pray one strategic prayer for the Church. The prayer goes like this..."God make us ______." Each church can pick from a line up of speakers and topics to show during the 4 week series. Go to the One Prayer blog to check out the details. GenesisChurch.TV will be participating in this historic moment in church history. I challenge every pastor to be part of this movement!
Tallahassee Democrat ran an awesome article in Sunday's paper about our new INKED series that kicked off this past Easter Sunday, which by the way was a great day for Genesis - we broke an attendance record! If you didn't get a chance to pick one up or you don't live in Tally and want to check it out...
Well we always try to be a little creative each week in our presentation of the gospel, but this Easter, we are taking it to a whole new level! Inked is about the love of God being tattooed on our hearts and how his love impacts our everyday relationships. Tattoos and Easter - different, but I think we are going to make it work! Each week we will have a short video from people like Micah and Matt (at left) who tell the real story behind the body art. These are life changing stories about God, love, and significant relationships in their lives. Don't miss Easter and invite your unbelieving friends and family to this non-typical Easter presentation...hopefully they will leave marked by his love and life.
