May 25, 2008 by Pastor Jon.

I want to take you on a journey. What will Redeemer’s Way look like? Well what it will look like really depends a lot on those people that will come along on this journey. But here are some possibilities.

So sit back and picture it as if you are there. It is a Sunday morning. The service does not start for 30 more minutes, but people are beginning to gather. Of course there are smiling greeters at the door. Once inside the coffee, tea, and juice is flowing freely. Inside the sanctuary round tables and chairs fill the room. People laughing at one table, at another, friends are praying for each other. At another one someone is excitedly sharing something they learned that week from the word of God. Some are in suits, others in jeans and t-shirts. Some are cleaner than others.  Oh yea there is plenty of biker leather to go around. Culturally the room is melting pot of all races and ages. Also inside are the underground greeters. No name tags, but they are on the lookout for new faces and missing faces.

Soon the worship leader steps up and gets everyone’s attention. Quickly the leader is in “the zone” as they enter the throne room of God. Then they remember where they are and they reach out to the congregation and begin to draw them in. Soon people begin to dance while others lay on the altar. But some just stand still in the moment.

In the nursery a baby is crying. The nursery minister is holding her close and begins to quietly pray in the spirit. Then she starts to sing before the Lord. Also in the room is the mother that has not slept for several nights because of the crying baby. The nursery minister holds the baby with one hand, and lays her hand on the mom. She begins to pray, she begins to prophesy. Soon the baby stops crying and even a smile comes across her face. The mother sits down in a near by rocker as it seems a weight has been lifted off of her shoulders.

In another room, the children are learning to worship and praise. The older children line up across the altar and the younger kids begin to come down for prayer. The children’s ministers move along the line teaching the older kids how to pray for them. Not only are they learning the word of God, they are being mentored to be ministers. Not just for the future but for today!

During the youth service a similar seen is taking place. Adults line the back of the room. Some are security, and others are intercessors providing spiritual security for the youth and the youth ministers as they work. If this takes place during a regular worship service there is a good chance there are more adults with the youth than in the “big” service.

Tuesday afternoon around 4:30 cars begin to drop off kids of all ages. It is homework time. Inside are teenagers, young adults, parents and teachers ready to tutor those who need help. Teachers will be at school and find a struggling child. I will be at Redeemer’s Way church this afternoon, why don’t you stop by and I can give you some extra help. Other kids that do not need help will beg to still come so they can work on their studies.

Before the school year started we invited the teachers and support staff of the nearby schools to a Saturday morning breakfast. We spent the morning edifying and building them up. We conclude with prayer and assigning an intercessor(s) to each teacher and support staff to cover them the entire year.

Saturday morning Brothers of the Covenant Motorcycle ministry arrive early on their Harleys. Soon teenagers and young adults on their sport bikes (Yamahas, Hondas, Suzukis) begin to pull up. The Brothers are conducting a biker clinic. They conduct a safety lesson, and then they teach how to do a bike tune up and basic maintenance. Finally they are invited to meet back again in two weeks to go on a ride together.

It is Friday night. A youth band is warming up. Once again coffee and sodas are flowing. The purpose tonight is to simply provide a safe place for teenagers to hang out. A safe place for positive peer pressure to flourish

One week during the summer we set up a big tent at one of the local trailer parks, or housing projects. We will take VBS to the community. The kids just need to step out their door. No transportation required.

Another Saturday morning Pastors from the surrounding area begin to show up. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of God etc. They will come tired and weary. We will feed them a great breakfast, teach them a great word then send them away with resources they can take back to their ministries.

Of course this list could go on. Because our members are involved in Rotary, Kiwanis Lion’s club, and other service clubs. We will be in the charity walks, school fundraisers, and community festivals. Whenever the community needs something, we get a phone call. We will be masters at networking and relationship building.  We will be everywhere.

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May 2, 2008 by Pastor Jon.

Mark 1: 32-38 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let them speak because they knew who he was. Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed; “Everyone is looking for you! Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else to the near by villages so I can preach there also. That is why I have come. (NIV) (Emphasis mine)

There is a lot we can learn from these few verses. It says that the whole town gathered, but Jesus healed many not all. Later when the town was looking for Him again, he moved on to the next town because that is what he was called to do. Jesus stayed focused on his calling. It would have been a “good” thing to stay in the same town, but there was a greater call. Because he had spent the solitary time with the Father, He was not swayed by the apparent need of the current town, but he knew when it was time to say “no,” and move on to the next.

People tend to live very busy lives. We often take on more than we should. This can just as easily happen in business, ministry and even our families. We do a lot of good things, but none of them become great. And these things are often unfulfilling and leave us feeling that we have not accomplished anything.

Chapter 5 in the book Good to Great by Jim Collins, he talks about the “Hedgehog Concept.” He defines it this way: foxes live a very complex and scattered life. Hedgehogs on the other hand do one thing and do it well. “[They] simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything.” p. 91

So has God called us to do a lot of good things, or has he called us to do a few great things. I tend to believe that it is the latter. We get caught up in the doing, and forget the purpose. Satan gets us distracted by doing “good” We get so busy we forget to spend time with the Father, with our families, we neglect our own health. God’s call is specific and sure. We must be able to identify that call, and then use that as the standard to judge the responsibilities and activities we take on

My goal is to try and live a life of focus. I want to live a life that goes beyond just doing. To do this I have to learn that is ok to say no. I have not found it yet, but I am looking for my “hedgehog concept.” What are those basic God given principles that unify and guide everything I do?

To live a life that is focused, we must define the essentials, and at the same time the non-essentials. First and foremost, we must be sure we have a strong habit of spending that solitary time with the Father. Without that we will never be focused on the right thing. I truly believe that our first focus should be on our relationship with the Father. Once that becomes our primary focus, ministry then becomes a fruit. We often get caught up and focus on the ministry but that only leads to us doing a lot of little things and then eventually burnout and discouragement.

Below are the examples from Good to Great. They were written for business, but I have tried to personalize them so that they can be applied on a personal level. Remember, before answering the following questions, we must be sure and seek guidance of the Holy Spirit. And also remember this is just a starting point.

1. What can you be the best at in the world?

Ø      What are your natural and spiritual gifts and talents?

Ø      What is your past experience?

Ø      Do you feel like you were born to do this?

Ø      What has God called you to do? Where do you fit in His plan?

Note: What you can be best at may not be what you are currently doing? p. 95

2. What drives your economic engine? (Think beyond money $)

Ø      What motivates you?

Ø      What gives you energy to keep going?

Ø      What will you do no matter what, even if you are not paid?

     3.    What are you deeply passionate about?

Ø      Where do your dreams take you?

Ø      What activities do you engage in that lead toward that passion?

I am sure this is a gross oversimplification, but it could provide a great starting point. The idea is to identify the activities of our lives that fulfill all three areas. These activities then become our focus. Yes there will always be times when we have to do other things that must be done. But do not let them become your priority. Spend time in the word and with the Father and he will keep you in focus on the right path.  Hopefully with the help of the Spirit we can discover the guiding principals that will bring focus and clarity to our lives. These are the things that we should focus on.

In Isaiah 48:17 God says that he will teach us to profit and lead us by the way we should go. Listen and He will keep you focused.

Now the hard part is to do it.

You can learn more about Good to Great by visiting www.jimcollins.com/

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