Reflections From a Trip to Disney, Part 2

Here's my second observation/reflection upon returning to work after my Holiday to Disney:

My calling to plant and lead Connections is not my entire life.

• First is being faithful to God.
• Second is being faithful to my wife and kids.
• Third is being faithful to the work of pastoring Connections.

We should all have the joy have putting a lot of our identity into what we do. I wish everyone would have the blessing of loving what they do, of feeling called to their vocation. Work is too important in God's kingdom and in our lives to be a drag. It really needs to be a joy.

Some people have none of their identity invested in what they do. They are punching the clock and working for the weekend. That's a hard life, and that's not how it's supposed to be. We should all do our work for the glory of God. We should take pleasure in the works of our hands (see the entire book of Ecclesiastes).

But others have too much of their identity wrapped up in their work (Pastors are notorious for this.) They have no other outlets. Their enjoyment of life is totally dependent on how things are at work, at the firm, in the office.

When I started this mission I came up with a motto that would guide me each day:

"Failure is not an option... I must be prepared to fail."

Each day I work as if failure is not an option-
We will launch the service.
We will improve the service.
We will grow the church.
We will take this to the next level.
I will take a bullet for this mission and will not let it be hijacked or thwarted...

But in the back of my head and heart I remind myself of this- if I fail, if this turns out to be a giant lesson in handling disappointment, if this is my ultimate life lesson in humility, if someone comes along who is better cut out for this and called to this, if the bottom falls out, if I have to step aside, I must be prepared.

Statistically more than 80% of new churches fold within a few years.

Holidays with my family help me prepare because where I CANNOT fail is in being faithful to God, faithful to my wife, and faithful to my children. If I am faithful in these areas I will be successful in the eyes of God.

And that helps me keep this all in perspective, even though I know we are in 20%!

Reflections From a Trip To Disney World, 2

Here's my second observation/reflection upon returning to work after my Holiday to Disney:

My calling to plant and lead Connections is not my entire life.

• First is being faithful to God.
• Second is being faithful to my wife and kids.
• Third is being faithful to the work of pastoring Connections.

We should all have the joy have putting a lot of our identity into what we do. I wish everyone would have the blessing of loving what they do, of feeling called to their vocation. Work is too important in God's kingdom and in our lives to be a drag. It really needs to be a joy.

Some people have none of their identity invested in what they do. They are punching the clock and working for the weekend. That's a hard life, and that's not how it's supposed to be. We should all do our work for the glory of God. We should take pleasure in the works of our hands (see the entire book of Ecclesiastes).

But others have too much of their identity wrapped up in their work (Pastors are notorious for this.) They have no other outlets. Their enjoyment of life is totally dependent on how things are at work, at the firm, in the office.

When I started this mission I came up with a motto that would guide me each day:

"Failure is not an option... I must be prepared to fail."

Each day I work as if failure is not an option-
We will launch the service.
We will improve the service.
We will grow the church.
We will take this to the next level.
I will take a bullet for this mission and will not let it be hijacked or thwarted...

But in the back of my head and heart I remind myself of this- if I fail, if this turns out to be a giant lesson in handling disappointment, if this is my ultimate life lesson in humility, if someone comes along who is better cut out for this and called to this, if the bottom falls out, if I have to step aside, I must be prepared.

Statistically more than 80% of new churches fold within a few years.

Holidays with my family help me prepare because where I CANNOT fail is in being faithful to God, faithful to my wife, and faithful to my children. If I am faithful in these areas I will be successful in the eyes of God.

And that helps me keep this all in perspective, even though I know we are in 20%!

Reflections From a Trip To Disney World

In case anyone been wondering why I haven't blogged for a week- this is why.
After Easter (the proverbial Superbowl of church services) I took my kids to Disney World.
Yeah, I'm that great a being a Dad!
Here we are watching the parade at the magic kingdom. Take note of the Steelers sweatshirt on Justin- and it was even his 4th birthday!

Actually, I can't take credit for Disney. We had made our arrangements to go to Florida to visit my parents as we do every winter. They called to ask if we though the kids were ready for the full-on Disney experience.
Were they?
Is Mickey a mouse?
Is Donald a duck?
Oh yeah!

So what does this have to do with the church?

Only this- going back to "work" today was one of the hardest moments of my life in recent history. It wasn't fun to try to explain to Justin why, after 7 days of begin together almost constantly, daddy had to go. It was easier for Eden and Karis, as they understand the ways of the world a little better than their brother. There is NOTHING better than simply being with my kids. There is nothing more important for me as a father to be with my kids. Not even church planting, which is my passion and a dream come true.

It makes me examine several things which I'll reflect on the next few days. Thus, I give to you,

Reflections From a Trip To Disney World

First, how do I explain my "work" to the kids? When will they start to understand this calling? Is there a line between my work as a pastor and the church?
Some pastors say they are going to the "office" to separate work and church. I don't. I boldly tell them I'm going to help build God's kingdom and his church. I tell them I have the greatest privilege and responsibility in the world- I get to be the pastor of a church just being born. And while I have some healthy boundaries on my life (like going to Florida and NOT checking email or phone messages), I DO NOT put my calling to plant and lead Connections in a box. I DO NOT talk about it like it's just some job.

It is my passion. But I'm just doing my part of the work. I'm not the one in charge. Holidays are a necessary reminder that Christ will build His church, not me. I just do my part faithfully.

Then when I come back and find out that things went great without me I can celebrate and give God all the glory! It's great to bear the responsibility of leading Connections, but it's better to know I don't carry all the weight.

Doubt

First Easter Recap

I try to be honest on this blog with victories and defeats, celebrations and disappointments.

And I have to say I'm NOT disappointed with our first Easter service.

• I thought the energy and excite was the best yet!
• I was so proud of our team when we blew a breaker in the theatre and they literally FLEW into action. In less than 5 minutes they had everything back running- awesome!
• Mike's rendition of "My Hero" by the Foo Fighters was jaw-dropping. I was ready to say "amen" and wrap it up.
• I had to start kicking people out of the theatre at 11:45am.
• The response to the welcome packets was amazing. So the bags are a little girly- real men embrace the tote! Or maybe they give it to their wife/girlfriend/mom.
  
• The feedback we received is enough to make you shout for joy!

My only disappointment:
I really wish more than 200 could have been there to experience God's presence and the fellowship of so many wonderful folks. I can honestly say I don't want to grow for the sake of numbers. I want us to grow because I believe in this mission more than ever! Folks need to experience what's happening at Connections.

The people of our church simply amaze me!

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 1 Corinthians 15:13-14

Our faith is FAR from useless, and so was our service yesterday.