Catalyst Leadership

A niche market for the Gospel- Flesh and Blood!

2011-06-13T23:20:00.005-04:00

In discussion with several shepherd friends today our subject was the impact that electronic media is having on church life and how Marshall McLuhan's axiom "The medium is the message" is more fitting today than ever.
In light of how electronic media tend to disconnect us from each other to the point of disembodiment we wondered how an incarnate Christ would fare in a church where we are more connected to people hundreds of miles away than we are with those who are in the room.
If media is simply an extension of our selves is there a neglected niche market for real flesh and blood ministry? When the gospel is constantly presented through TV, DVD, Internet, Ipad/pod/phones, and big screens in church there may come a time when it will seem cool and novel to share truth with someone face to face, one on one with spoken language. At that point the obscure pastor in his humble little church will be positioned to capture the moment with a new medium, the gospel incarnated in a human being.

See this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9iw6oluE_A&feature=related

Rich Earl is author of Shepherds Balm, a weekly devotional for pastors and church staff. www.shepherdsbalm.com

C3 ANALYSIS

2011-06-07T10:28:00.002-04:00

Leaders from across PennDel met this week to pray, evaluate and plan for the future of C3 in the PennDel Ministry Network. In the Monday night session Pastor Steve led an analysis. Here are some of the areas discussed:

STRENGTHS OF C3
• Camaraderie
• Shared Resources
• Permission Giving
• Small Group Fellowship
• Leadership Multiplied (More Openings)
• Everyone has Something to Offer
• Depth of Relationship
• Cross Pollination
• Several Tracks to Choose From
• Safe Place (Accountability)
• Shared Responsibility
• Celebrate Wins Together
• More Horizontal

WEAKNESSES OF C3
• Camaraderie Can Become Exclusive
• Voluntary
• Institutional Management is Difficult
• Lack of Clarity
• Perception
• Duplication
• Can Lack Spiritual Vitality
• Less Sectional Fellowships
• Lack of Reproducible Things
• Loss of Diversity
• Less of Senior Adult Participation
• Vision Leakage
• Need to Re-communicate the Vision
• New People Need to be Educated
• Easier to Hide
• Challenging to Evaluate

OPPORTUNITIES
• Training
• Clarity
• New Groups, New Entry Points
• Shape the Future
• Criteria / Expectations
• Recruitment
• Openness to the Gospel

Hallelujah! The wedding of the Lamb ...

2011-04-29T07:20:00.001-04:00

Like millions of others around the world, Pat and I watched segments of the royal wedding this morning. We enjoyed the pageantry, music, colors and multiple layers of symbolism.

As I watched, the words of John in Revelation came to mind. The greatest wedding of the eons will be without comparison.

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” – Revelation 19:6-9

Let us prepare ourselves for the great wedding to come!

May the Lord fill you with hope for Jesus coming.

FaceBook: A Marinated Perspective

2011-02-18T23:40:00.006-05:00

When Facebook first went viral there were a number of articles and blogs which suggested how it might best be leveraged as a tool for reaching non-Christians and for marketing the church. I read some of these with interest, but did not apply much of what I read. Instead I decided to just experience Facebook for myself and entered it along with my “friends”. In the process I have learned that using Facebook as a tool does not really work. Facebook is a community, now 500 million strong, and I chose to be a part of the community. After a few years on Facebook I have discovered some things.

Recently I have been stunned at the quality of connections that can be made through Facebook. I have heard from a number of old friends from college and high school who never knew me as a follower of Jesus. They have seen my posts, which often reflect my faith in a non-preachy kind of way, and have contacted me to talk about “religion”. I just got off the phone with an old fraternity brother who was amazingly grateful and excited to hear whatever I had to say about the Bible or Jesus, or whatever. I had instant credibility with him because of our past association. We talked for an hour and he told me he would be going to Barnes and Noble to get the Bible and other book I recommended. He also gobbled up some links I sent. How often does that happen?

I have come to believe that using Facebook to deliberately market a church or to press Christianity is not its greatest use. Postmoderns, and that’s who is using Facebook by and large, prefer a less confrontational approach. Strident tones don’t hit the mark with them. Creative, thoughtful and pithy posts tend to draw them in. They also crave authenticity. Sincerely joining the community gives us a stake in it, as opposed to being interlopers pushing our agenda. Presence has power.

Here are some things I try to remember when I post or comment on Facebook:

1. Be real. Share things that genuinely touch you, and that you believe will be a benefit to others.

2. Be concise. Brevity is the soul of wit. Long posts tend not to get read nearly as much as those short, snappy ones.

3. Be imaginative. Find things to say that have not been said over and over. Think about it before you post. There should be real value added to their lives by being connected to you. Make them grateful to be your friend.

4. Be interesting. Some say the great sin today is being uninteresting. That may or may not be the case, but it sure is better to create interest.

5. Be eclectic. Don’t be afraid to be different. Vary your posts between the silly, the profound and the personal. People will look forward to connecting with you if you vary what you say.

6. Be generous. Don’t expect others to comment and “like” your posts if you’re not doing that for them. That’s part of being in the community. Don’t be a voyeur, enter the conversation.

7. Be careful. Posting and commenting is fraught with peril. It is easy to be misunderstood when writing our thoughts. Objectively read over what you have written before you post or comment. Many times I have written something and simply decided not to send it at all.

8. Be sensitive- know your audience. Not everything you post will impress everyone on your friend list. Try to imagine how different sectors of your network will react to what you say. It’s okay to target certain segments, but make it obvious when you do.

2011-02-16T11:13:00.001-05:00

E-Bulletin
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

In the early 1990's I was the pulpit guest at the North Central University chapel. The morning became unforgettable as it unfolded. Our son, Jonathan, had starred the night before in a basketball game between the host university and our alma mater, Central Bible College had beaten the host team soundly. I was introduced as Jonathan’s father and the student body of knowledgeable sports fans welcomed me half-heartedly.

But, even more memorably, in the service a faculty member announced that an official of the Assemblies of God in Egypt had been martyred. The student body prayed for the fallen minister’s family, especially for the next of kin who succeeded the martyr. And, an explanation was made that two or three more successors were in line because the believers expected that their leaders would be either martyred or imprisoned for long periods.

As I awaited my moment in the pulpit, I remember thinking, “What can I say that is of any importance against the backdrop of this announcement?” All of that came back to mind as the Egyptian people orchestrated the deposing of their national leader recently. Pundits are convinced that the overthrow of Egypt’s national leader could not have happened without social networking technology not yet in place in the 90's. And, the phenomenon is spreading. Watch TV news and read newspapers. Oppressors are being threatened by masses gathering in public places demanding change.

What ought we to learn?
• Technology is changing the way we live more than we realize. Shouldn’t we observe and measure its impact on us. How much time are we spending communicating digitally? Are digital communiques equal to face-to-face, eye-to-eye, and heart-to-heart conversation? Are we emboldened to join and opine anonymously when we lack courage to do the same in person?
• We ought to use every tool in proclaiming truth which is absolute and constant. No matter how many times the Word of God is contradicted – often at the speed of digital light – its truth must be proclaimed. Sing Psalm 119 in your soul and allow its lyrics to penetrate every crevice of your being.
Global University is making great use of the media, and I am sure the innovators there are only scratching the surface.

Because of our changing role, this will be one of the last E-Bulletins in this format. You may continue to receive periodic messages by asking to be placed on the new list forming. Just click the “reply button” and we’ll include you. Or visit our new blog at http://www.blogger.com/home?pli=1.

The blog will not tell you where we went shopping or ate for breakfast, but will attempt to provoke thought and stimulate to conversation among Jesus’ disciples. Pat and I will look forward to hearing from you!

Missional Coaching Works!

2011-02-08T22:48:00.005-05:00

This is a follow up to my post from December about Missional Coaching with the unemployed in the Coal region of Pennsylvania.

Coaching is taking hold in the PennDel District and this is an example of how coaching can work in the everyday ministry of local pastors and laypeople alike. The result is that we reach people who might never think to set foot in our churches, but who can benefit profoundly from the principles found in God's Word and exposure to the people of God. Here are two examples of changed lives.

Jason (not his real name)- Jason was a frenetic and disoriented mess when he arrived at our first coaching session two months ago. He arrived flustered and with a backpack attached that looked like it was a part of him. He described a background of abuse and abandonment. After years in foster care he ended up homeless on the streets of California. A series of events brought him to our little Pennsylvania coal town. He was doing pretty well until he was fired from his job at a major store chain. When he walked in, he had no goals and was definitely in survival mode. Living alone in a one-room rental, he was desperate for a friend who would not let him down. He shared that his biggest obstacle was needing $12 to get a state ID card. He was so grateful when I was able to connect him the resources to get one, and he made a friend from our church in the process. He was so encouraged, and since that time I have watched him slowly come to life. Religion was not something he was looking for, having had bad experiences in the past. But after our second session he asked if he could come to our church. I said sure, and gave him a Bible. He loves to read and has now become a student of the Word and attends several Bible studies as well as church services. He has reached a number of small goals and expects to be employed again soon. His countenance has lifted as he senses that God loves him.

Diane (not her real name)- Diane came to our little town from Philadelphia with her two young children to live with relatives. Although she is only in her early 30s, she has lost all of her teeth and her self-image is very poor. The smallest obstacle will keep her from following through on what she knows she should be doing. In the past two months she has set some reasonable goals including getting her GED, finding a place to live, and getting a job. Her main goal, however is rebuilding her self-respect. She has an appointment to get her new teeth this week, which will be a dramatic step toward her goal. She has also secured an apartment to raise her children in. She will take her GED test this month. Her goal is to open her own Laundromat because she loves talking with and helping people. She is learning that obstacles can be overcome. Diane says that being held accountable and having someone to believe in her has made all the difference.

More to come....

Less Is More

2011-01-04T05:53:00.000-05:00

Conventional wisdom says, "I have to do more to get more done." Not so quick. The best leaders know that in order to get more done, one must actually must do less.

The book of Acts, specifically chapter six, demonstrates this little-known contrarian leadership axiom. We read the church was exploding with growth, which brought new challenges and complaints. In this case, church members were complaining that there were legitimate needs within the church family that were not being met.

Instead of doing more and spreading themselves too thin, the leadership made a pivotal decision to do less. Seriously. They said, "we are going to do three things: study, preach and pray. That's it."

So what was the solution? The leaders strategically raised up other qualified leaders and delegated responsibility and authority.

Principle: Church leaders are NOT responsible for meeting ALL the needs. They are responsible for making sure ALL the needs are MET.

This year get more done by doing less. Raise up leaders. Train them for ministry. Release them to meet the needs. Do only what you are called and capable of doing. And then watch as your church expands with explosive growth.

Missional community coaching in the Coal region

2010-12-21T18:45:00.004-05:00

In an effort to combine the power of coaching with a missional/incarnational approach to ministry, a fellow pastor and I have volunteered to provide free coaching services for a local non-profit group in our city. We are only in the second week of this pilot program but we are already sensing that this is something God is blessing. I believe this is fairly new ground and am optimistic that it will open doors to bring transformation in our community.

Most of the clients are in transition and dealing with poverty and unemployment issues; the goal is to bring them from dependence to independence in their lives. Some are from a group working to help young people get their GED, others are from a cash assistance program that provides some training, and others are from an employment placement program. The other pastor and I will each be working with four clients each for four months and then gathering a new group.

We developed a flier offering Free Life Coaching to those involved in the program. The response was immediate, with over a dozen candidates filling out the packets to apply for eight slots. Interestingly, several staff members at this organization were interested in the coaching and said they would be willing to pay for it.

The prospect of providing coaching for those in transition is very exciting. Although we have been asked not to “proselytize,” we are permitted to answer questions and spiritual issues are on the table. The opportunities to share Jesus have already been well received and there is every reason to believe that will continue.

great stuff on the 100 barrier anyone?

2010-06-18T16:22:00.000-04:00

Leaders,

Does anyone have any truly great stuff on breaking the 100 barrier?

I have a number of leaders in my network who are up against this barrier, and are seeking any and everything I have on it. I am considering a conference on it at some point in the next 6 months, and would like to explore any great stuff you-all have found on it.

Thanks!

Gerry
717-398-9033

Leadership Principle

2010-06-14T14:58:00.004-04:00

1. Do for ONE what you can't do for ALL

Often times leaders are reluctant to do anything when they cannot do it for anyone. This is a recipe for mediocrity in your organization and it will ultimately remove the leader from the very things that they need to be close to.

Here's how I apply this principle:
*I went and visited a church member in the hospital this morning even though I can't visit every member. I did for one what I can't do for all.
*I will perform only 5 marriages this year but that's all. I'll do some, but not all.
*I once gave a staff member a car who was in desperate need of transportation. I can't give all my staff vehicles, but I was in position to give one to one of them.

These are just a few examples of how this principle works. Don't let the naysayers and the masses determine what you do. Do for one what you can't do for all.

VFCC URBAN MINISTRY COURSES

2010-06-09T23:40:00.010-04:00

Brian Bolt, Brad Leach, and Jeff Leake will be teaching two modular classes his fall. The dates are:
September 17-19 (Pittsburgh)
October 29-31 (Philadelphia)
November 19-21 (Pittsburgh)
December 3-5 (Philadelphia)

Urban Evangelism and Church Planting
Strategies for evangelism and church development are examined and applied through case studies, field trips, contacts with resource persons, and student-led projects. The course will incorporate practical application of evangelism and church planting in the urban context.

The City and Missions
This course is an overview and analysis of the urban
context, with attention given to the biblical theology of mission to the city. Old and New Testament themes are explored.

In these classes you will discover how much God really cares for our cities in a variety of outreaches, care and share God’s Good News one-on-one, introduce Jesus to those living on the streets, pray for the sick, believe God for transformational miracles, serve nourishing food to the hungry, accompany seekers to a brand-new church, capture a glimpse of God at work in the cities, and allow God to instill a new vision for reaching the cities of America through your time with Brian, Brad, and Jeff.

Go to www.vfcc.edu/urbanministry for more information.

ARE YOU WIRED TO PLANT A CHURCH?

2010-06-09T23:28:00.003-04:00

If you are interested in knowing if you may be wired to plant a church I encourage you to check out the Church Planter Pre-Assessment Center to help you discern your aptitude and readiness for church planting quickly and easily in an online environment.

Here is the web link: http://churchplanterprofiles.com
The Agency you should select is: Pennsylvania-Delaware Assemblies of God

This FREE Online Initial Screening Assessment will help assess your readiness in the areas of Church Planting Experience, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Ministry Experience and Relational Evangelism.

LifeStone Church Grand Opening

2010-06-09T23:19:00.004-04:00

LifeStone Church is celebrating a tremendous Grand Opening this past Sunday. Church Planter Jack Thomas says, "The energy was high, the excitement was off the charts, and the journey has just begun!"

Here are some key statistics that are worth celebrating from today’s service:

* 230 people in attendance
* 44 kids in our KidsLife Ministry
* 10 DECISIONS FOR CHRIST (GO GOD!)
* Many new faces from their community and surrounding communities!
* Many comments from people saying they loved church and are coming back next week!

Way to go Jack!

Click here to check out Jack's Blog.

Ideas so dumb somebody oughta be shot at sunrise

2010-06-09T12:43:00.001-04:00

I know fully that we all care about the 83% of our communities that are lost. I believe we all love Jesus, and that there is no way to love Him without caring deeply about the lost.

But maybe we gave up. Maybe we don't believe that we can make a difference anymore. Maybe in our lack of ideas to fix it, we try not to think about it. Maybe we just try to quiet the raging sound of screaming souls slouching into Hell, by telling ourselves that we are doing our best. I know that I have personally struggled with each of these emotions.

But try as I may, I cannot keep myself from trying one more time to get something done about reducing the 83% to something less. I just can't. I hope you who are impatient with me, can forgive me for it.

So recently, I ask several more astute thinkers than me, to sit with me and help me come up with 10 crazy ideas that would create the sea change that would cause us to believe again, and get the job done with more efficiency.

I don't know that any of these ideas are great. But maybe if we start kicking around some reasonably bad ideas, God will have mercy on us and give us one truly great idea that has the potential to get it done. In that spirit, I offer some crazy stuff. You should know that the good ideas on this list, (if there are any) were not mine.

1. All of our churches gave at least 1% of their income to church planting

2. Re-structure our district slightly by creating an executive presbytery whose sole job was church planting and Kingdom growth.

3. Free school church planting school for those who are gifted to plant! Many of our college grads are simply too indebted to take a risk.

4. All Presbyters must have mothered a church in the past 3 years to be a presbyter.

5. New standards for 'sovreign' churches; missions giving, baptizing new converts every year, and supporting church planting. Otherwise they go back to Home Missions status until these things are solved.

6. Create a District Church Planting school to equip great church planters

7. District Superintendent's job is restructured to allow him to be a full-time Pastor. His job would be vision and leadership by example. District staff under him would serve the district at his direction, in the same way that as a worship leader or youth pastor serve the church under the direction of their Senior Pastor.

8. Only tithes of Senior Pastor would go to the District- all staff Pastor tithes would go to church planting.

9. All churches would be required to financially support a specific church plant. No exceptions.

10. No credential holders could renew credentials if they had not personally brought in and baptized a new believer themselves (apart from their leadership role) int he past year.

Do you think any of these might help us get going toward reaching the lost 83% of our communities? Which ones should be discussed further? Are any of them so bad that the person who thought them up should be shot at sunrise? What could you offer as an idea to help?

Tulsa World published about our church plant (site) there

2010-05-29T16:00:00.000-04:00

An article in The Tulsa World newspaper today...

----------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom Valley hopes to attract church dropouts

By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer Published: 5/29/2010 2:20 AM

Nine households in Gettysburg, Penn., 33 people in all, left their homes and jobs several months ago and moved to Tulsa to start a church.

They are the second group of people who have moved to Tulsa in recent months to start an Assemblies of God church, part of a national emphasis on church planting in that denomination.

"My philosophy is, if you're going to live for God, it's going to be an adventure," said the Rev. Jason Fitch, founding pastor of the Freedom Valley Church in Tulsa, a church plant of the Freedom Valley Church in Gettysburg.

"It's scary, but it's fun," he said.

The church meets at 10 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month at the Tulsa Cinemark Theater, 10802 E. 71st St., where they rent three theaters, one for an adult service and two for children's services.

(In July, they will meet on the 11th to avoid the July Fourth holiday.)

Fitch said he fell in love with Tulsa in the 1980s when he lived here from ages 6 to 16 and always felt drawn to move back.

He graduated from Valley Forge (Penn.) Christian College in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in Bible and went to work immediately at his own church, Freedom Valley, first as a youth pastor and then as executive pastor.

Freedom Valley's primary focus is starting other churches, he said, with about 30 church plants in that area. In March 2009, he said, he felt God told him it was time to start a church in Tulsa. As he told his plans to people in his home church, several families decided to come with him as part of a start-up team.

Team members are committed to helping launch the church, he said. When weekly services begin Sept. 12, the members will be free to leave. However, he expects many to remain, especially those who moved here with children.

The Gettysburg church provides financial help to the Tulsa church, their most-distant church plant.

Why start a church in Tulsa, which already seems to have a church on every corner?

"Tulsa has some of the best churches in the country," Fitch said. "I'm blessed and honored to be here.

"But we want to reach people who have given up on church, who have had bad experiences with church."

The Rev. Frank Cargill, superintendent of the Oklahoma district of the Assemblies of God, said the denomination has a renewed emphasis on church planting, a challenge that came down from the national office.

"It's our feeling that, in order to reach this generation, we must be renewed in our focus for evangelism and outreach," he said.

"We do our best to connect with the societal needs of the community so that we become, hopefully, the church that Jesus built, which was more concerned about people than about buildings," he said.

Cargill said both Freedom Valley Church and the new City Church, meeting at the Tulsa Ballet building in Brookside, were in communication with his office as they developed their plans to move to Tulsa.

Steve Pike is coordinator of the Assemblies of God's Church Multiplication Network, a new organization charged with equipping, funding and networking church planters and those who help them.

"Church planting has always been a part of our culture as a movement," he said, "but now it's more intentional."

"We've seen an uptick in plants" since the initiative started, he said.

For decades, the denomination has started about 270 churches in the U.S. each year. The goal is 500.

"We're not there yet, but we're starting to see acceleration," he said.

And new churches partnering with the network tend to be stronger in attendance, giving and numbers of baptisms, he said.

Pike said at least 70 percent of Americans are not involved in a worshipping community, and every study shows that the best way to reach those people is to start churches.

There are exceptions, he said, but generally in older, established churches, relationships are more developed, people know and love each other and reaching new people becomes more difficult, he said.

Deeper, Deeper

2010-05-12T12:54:00.001-04:00

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Okay, so I'm challenged that our worship services go a bit deeper than this parody. What do you all think?

Could every generation's liturgical norms be parodied as pointedly?

Resolution number 3

2010-05-07T00:16:00.000-04:00

As I recall, there were about 2 resolutions at District Council this year.

On one hand, it is very nice to have so much peace and agreement in our District. Unity and agreement is a very pleasant thing indeed, and something that is blessed of the Lord.

But in the past year, I again read the book (actually listened to it this time) 5 Dysfunctions of a Team.

If I applied some of those principles, I gotta ask; do we have enough spirited discussion and challenging debate over the things that really matter? One of the dysfunctions is not being able to argue passionately over the stuff that really makes a difference.

Years ago, we added a requirement to our system where resolutions must be submitted months in advance and reviewed carefully by a team of parliamentarians, and whatever other processes. This seemed good at the time (as I recall) because hotheaded and spontaneous- perhaps poorly thought through- ideas could not be brought to the floor at all.

The thing worked, and we now have relatively peaceful meetings. Yes, we do disagree and passionately discuss certain details about the resolutions presented, and that seems fine I guess. But is there room for a resolution to be brought up spontaneously "for the good of the order", just because the Spirit is moving and someone thought up something good right there on the spot?

We get together and pray for God's leading, but how can He move? And how can we be a healthy team when there is no room for any resolution that was not thought up 800 years before (exaggeration intended for humor of course)?

Maybe this is just for me, because I am not the world's best planner. But after I read Tom Rees's report on the 83% of my friends and neighbors who will end up in Hell, and David Crosby's report that we have about the same amount of churches (and that we had when I started ministry in '83), I wanted to repent of lots of things, including but not limited to our issue with autonomy of the local church.

For example, I wanted to weep about the fact that I cannot think of a resolution to bring to next year's Council that really addresses the 83%. How would we, what would we, who would we, and where would we start? I have no serious ideas. The 83% should not expect anything good from me as it pertains to the rescue of their souls. They should get ready for a hot eternity, because I am bankrupt.

I was thrilled with the Decade of Harvest in the 90's. I was thrilled with Pastor Steve's idea to bless and give room for Catalyst leaders to work in the C3 plan. And I was thrilled with a lot of other ideas that better minds than mine have come up with over the years.

Yet, we are still about 360 churches, and close to the same amount of adherents here in PennDel. In my ministry lifetime, we have zoomed downward from at least 45% church attendance in America, to less than 20%! Yes, I think we should repent!

Minister friends, we have failed. We have failed our culture, and failed the Kingdom of God. We are losing the battle and from Penndel northward (the North East), we have failed the most of all! I do not wish to point to anyone else- I have not made a discernible difference myself.

In Romans, the Apostle Paul indicates that repentance is a gift that God gives. As I understand repentance, it is not a gift He has given me yet, (or us), yet in Penndel, as measured by our ability to reverse this horrible decline in percentage of people who will spend eternity in Heaven because they know Jesus. Oh God, have mercy on us an give us this treasure! We may not deserve it, but surely you love this 83% too much! If we in the PennDel District of the Assemblies of God are too hard hearted to receive it, please give it to some other group before more of our friends are lost forever!

I am not kidding around here, and not being light hearted. Seriously, does anybody have a reasonable idea to make the 83%, 82%? or 70%? Anybody? Anything? Yes, I know we are planting churches, and if we all live to be a hundred and fifty, MAYBE we will gain a little on it. (not that past performance would indicate that any of our plans will do anything, because since 1983, I and my fellow colleagues have NOT GAINED ONE CHURCH!)

Could there have been a resolution 3 this year that would have addressed the 83%? Does anybody even care? Or shall we come back next year and argue for three more hours about whether the word repentance is too strong for our national leaders to stomach? (sorry, my flimsy take on the little bit of this that I got to be part of)

My sons want me to teach them everything I know about ministry, they tell me. "Gotta be honest", I told them last night, "based on my performance since I got into ministry in '83, I got nothing for you. And don't read anything from anyone my age", I told them. "We are not prevailing. I pray that your generation will, but if you do, it will not be from what you have seen us do, for we have lost half of what we have been given!"

Excuses to make in front of Jesus

2010-04-22T21:22:00.000-04:00

In our Creating Outreach and Evangelism class this morning, Tom Rees opened by directing us to the Southern Baptists' report on the Great Commission. (here) It is sobering and challenging stuff.

Here are some findings: 83% of people in Northeast are lost. The population of these states (basically Pennsylvania and north) is 55 million. 83% of this population will be in Hell unless we do something. Currently, there is no growth in numbers of people in this area attending church, so it seems unlikely that we will reach them in my lifetime. They are likely to remain lost.

What will I say when I stand before Jesus, and we talk about the sad fact that in my lifetime, church attendance has slidden to far less than half the numbers that there were when I started ministry?

What will Pastor's say when they stand in front of the One who gave everything to get them to eternal life? What might be the top ten list of excuses that we mumble out to "Him with whom we have to do"?

1. It was too hard.
2. I didn't know what to do
3. I was busy doing church stuff
4. My church wasn't yet large enough to plant another one
5. Really, there are lost people in America?
6. I didn't have the money
7. My church needed me!
8. I tried to reach some, but I'm not very good at it.
9. That other church tried some stuff, but it was a joke.
10. My fellowship didn't tell me what to do!

I am sick to death of my own stupid excuses. Jesus gave it all, so the least I can do is give more, work harder, stop doing stupid religious stuff, and resolve to flounder my way toward some kind of progress.

Any body with me?

Only well-planned, healthy babies wanted..?

2010-04-16T04:20:00.001-04:00

It's a beautiful thing when a healthy young couple plans carefully, saves money, and prepares well for a wonderful new child. Baby things are gathered, the financial cost is counted and prepared for, and the extended family is carefully informed.

But for whatever reason(s), babies don't often come that way. Some come unplanned, even to the c couple who plans carefully. Some come when many things are not right and maybe even the parents did not prepare even a healthy parental relationship (marriage) for the new child to be born into.

But however they come, all children are a heritage of the Lord, and a blessing. As believers we celebrate the little life and rejoice that God sent them into the world to care for it and make it better, as Genesis tells us we were created to do. As we know from simple life experience that many who were "unplanned" by the parents, are nevertheless huge blessing to their world!

Maybe churches are like that too. Some are well-planned, beautifully orchestrated, and well put together. Baby things are gathered, and finances are well prepared. The extended family is carefully informed and everyone is happy about the birth. Right?

But then there are those churches that came about the wrong way. Not so well planned, without enough finances and a shock to many people around them.

Yet God uses them.

Acts has all kinds of examples. The Bereans studied, the Jerusalem church exploded, and so many others seemed so well done. Then along comes Ephesus, born out of a riot, lies about the founding Pastor, and all kinds of ugliness.

But each one, however they come, have potential to become a house of great repute, and a recycling station for hurting lives. They are God's idea to rock the world, and create new disciples.

Outreach magazine last month quoted Ed Stetzer: The American Church is on birth control". It is unnatural and wrong, Stetzer went on say, that most church do not procreate. He said they seem to worry too much about doing it right and making every effort a success.

I like his way of thinking. Maybe we should be more desperate about being barren, than we are about doing everything perfect.

Discipleship Dare

2010-01-01T23:41:00.006-05:00

Fellow A/G pastor (Potomac District) and VFCC grad Jess Bousa has written "The Discipleship Dare" - a great way to activate yourself and your people in following Jesus. It is unusual in that it actually works, and can be used for new believers as well as more mature believers.

Jess provides video intros, and sermon outlines for your church as well as the ability to read the book online for free. www.thediscipleshipdare.com

There are currently some bloggers posting everyday for 40 days as they go through the Dare. Follow Jess on Facebook or visit the website to find out more.

I began posting on this today. www.goodground.blogspot.com

Have a great new year of ministry!

20 in 10

2009-10-27T14:48:00.005-04:00

We are targeting 20 areas for church planting in 2010.
If you have a passion for one of these areas, please contact the leader listed or give me a call.

• Bethany Beach/Ocean View, Delaware (Tim Satryan)
• Braddock (Brian Bolt) *
• Cranberry, Venango County (Chris Clark)
• Downingtown (Sam Masteller) *
• DuBois (Chris Clark)
• Elsmere Hispanic, Delaware (Tim Satryan)
• Fogalsville (Mark Caston)
• Frackville (Richard Earl)
• Gettysburg (Gerry Stoltzfoos) *
• Greensburg (Don Immel) *
• Hanover (Gerry Stoltzfoos)
• Inner city/South Side Wilmington, Delaware (Tim Satryan)
• Lewisburg (Paul Grabill)
• Marshall’s Creek (Jim Rugg)
• Milton (Jon Baker)
• New Castle/Minquadale, Delaware (Tim Satryan)
• Philadelphia (Dan Clark)
• Pottstown (Steve DeFrain)
• Southside Pittsburgh (Jeff Leake) *
• Three Springs (Dan Fox) *
• York (Gerry Stoltzfoos)

* Church Planter has been identified and in process.

boot camp registration is open

2009-10-04T16:49:00.003-04:00

Church Planter's Boot camp at Freedom Valley

The first week of November is less than 1 month away, and registration is open! You can go to www.freedomvalley.org to find the link on our home page, and register.

Penn-Del is offering scholarships for credential holders. You can pay online. After you have registered, order your boot camp materials and start the exciting journey toward planting a church.

We are encouraging church planters to bring whatever team that is being developed around you. If finances are a problem for you, call me personally (717-398-9033) for plans to help- such as a home opener to stay with, or a reduced registration fee if needed.

A few weeks ago, I did a church planting seminar for a couple of sections in the western part of the state (the sections led by Ken Martin and Christ Clark). At lunch afterward, a retired Pastor told me about "the good old days" where it was generally expected, he said that EVERY Bible college worth his salt planted a church! He said it was a standard expectation!

Ironically, those were also the days just before the Assemblies of God was named "the fastest growing denomination" in the country.

The old timer told me when he heard the seminar, that he hoped maybe it could happen again, where the AG became the aggressive church planting movement that it once was.

Maybe it could...

Kingdom synergy- boundless

2009-09-02T17:54:00.002-04:00

This is a follow up post about the need for a church plant in the Lower Anthracite Coal Region between Hazleton and Shamokin:

I was on my way to Bethlehem today and met Todd Dewire for breakfast. He pastors the Foursquare church in Frackville. There is a young man in Teen Challenge right now who I met this weekend and he is from Todd's church.
Todd is a former missionary to Honduras, 50 years old. He has an older Pentecostal church of about 30 faithful saints, and is looking to open a church plant in the Frackville Mall. Sounds like a stretch, but his heart is right. He just needs resources.
Is this an answer to our prayers concerning the tremendous need for healthy churches in the small coal towns of this region? Is this an opportunity for selfless kingdom synergy?
I invited him to our Catalyst group since we had been on a prayer journey through that area. He will share his heart with our guys and we will pray for kingdom growth there.

Bootcamp at Freedom Valley Nov 2-6

2009-08-29T15:12:00.002-04:00

Friends,

I have just solidified a November boot camp at Freedom Valley, November 2-6. If you know anyone who is wanting to plant, and this is the right time for them, have them call me at 717-398-9033, or write me at gerry@freedomvalley.org. The event costs me the same whether many come, or few, so I would love for it to count for more than my teams.

Brian Bolt plans to send a few. several others have expressed interest. I hope you and/or your teams can come too!

Gerry Stoltzfoos

Freedom Valley Worship Center

Gettysburg, PA.

Trans Geo disapointment

2009-08-10T15:27:00.003-04:00

Yes, I went to General Council last week, hoping to see progress in the area of resolution #19, about Trans-Geographical Districts.

No, it did not pass. If I recall correctly, some 700 voted against it while about 500 voted for it.

I am disappointed about it, but possibly not for the reasons you might think.

My disappointment is simple; this was the only tiny idea I ever really heard or was part of that has potential to create a new wine skin. I had hoped that something could make us more effective at making disciples of Christ. I wasn't sure that this idea would work. All I was sure of, is that our current system is a sad failure.

I and my fellow Pastors have a dismal record of failure in the past 20 years that I have been in ministry. During that period, church attendance in America has dropped to about half of what it was in the early 80's when I started out in ministry. Today, 80% of my culture does not attend church.

I have no real plan for how to fix that. This little trans-geo thing, was the only glimmer of hope I had, small and pathetic as it was.

My heart is not bursting with ideas about how to reach my nation in my day. And the famine of my heart is my real disappointment.

FVCPI.com is up!

2009-07-04T00:10:00.002-04:00

Announcing Freedom Valley Church Planting Institute

This coming January, 2010, we plan to kick off the Church Planting Institute at Freedom Valley. This collaboration with Valley Forge Christian College, is an effort to take a small group of church planting teams, super power them with prayer, Bible, cutting edge research, and coaching, and turn them out to plant churches!

Check it out at www.fvcpi.com.

Classes will be limited to a maximum of 25 students this year so that we can invest heavily in each student, and maximize their potential. If you are interested, lets us know before seats fill up!

Students will earn 30 college credits from VFCC, while participating on a church plant launch team. All classes will be held in the morning, allowing them to hold jobs, and be heavily involved in a plant within 100 miles. They will be deeply immersed in a church planting culture rich in idea sharing, encouragement, and cutting edge strategic thought.

If you are considering becoming a church planter, or joining a church planting team, we have an upcoming opportunity to explore it. We call is Base Camp (where you camp briefly at the foot of the mountain that you are thinking about climbing, and count the cost.)

August 14-15, 2009 • Friday: 7-9 PM • Saturday: 9-3 PM. Check out FVCPI.com for more details.

I Love America!

2009-07-02T15:22:00.002-04:00

THIS FRIDAY, JULY 3rd from 5pm to 12am there's an opportunity to tap into a unique and exciting event... James River Assembly in Springfield (and Pastor John Lindell) is holding their annual I Love America 4th of July celebration, where they are expecting more than 120,000 people to attend. In conjunction with this event, Angel Mission is hosting a benefit concert to raise money for well digging and church planting projects in Africa; GodTVis televising 7 hours of the event. All 7 hours will be broadcast live over God TV (Channel 365 on Direct TV) and will also be viewable via webcast through our Worship Compass website, www.PennDelWorshipCompass.org.

6 different bands will be performing: Israel Houghton, Leeland, The Afters and Press Play (new band out of The Dream Center) to name a few. The fireworks presentation will be accompanied by and synchronized to the James River choir and orchestra. The live telecast and concerts will be running from 5 pm to midnight tomorrow evening, July 3rd.

Our good friend John Bongiorno is now the President of Angel Mission. He and Rory Alec (President of GodTV) will be hosting the telecast and sharing testimonies and video clips from specific water well projects in Africa and communities that have been transformed by the ministry of Angel Mission. Pastor Tourville, our superintendent, is in Springfield and they will be interviewing him and featuring our PennDel Burkina Faso project. John has invited me to be a part of the event, so I am also in Springfield and will be helping behind the scenes, hosting guests and doing interviews with the musical guest artists.

In the days ahead Shannon and I will be partnering with John and Angel Mission to help with some of their well projects and to provide music and worship training for the churches that are planted around the water wells. We will be continuing our fulltime music, worship and teaching ministry in the U.S. and the PennDel District, but will also be ramping up the missions aspect of our ministry as missionary evangelists (and representing Angel Mission to the local church). Angel Mission has expanded beyond just digging the water wells and has a strategy in place to build "Life Centers" in villages all over Africa that will help provide clean water, Living Water (through the church plants) AND many other life-changing tools - medical clinics, schools, agricultural training, etc. We're excited to be partnering with such a powerful ministry that is making a tangible difference in the lives of people around the world - both now and for eternity!

SO GO TO www.5dollarwater.com AND CLICK THROUGH SOME OF THE LINKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ANGEL MISSION BENEFIT CONCERT - THE BANDS, THE SCHEDULE, THE I Love America EVENT, AND THE MINISTRY OFANGEL MISSION. GO TO http://www.PennDelWorshipCompass.org TO ACCESS THE LIVE WEBSTREAM (or Ch. 365 on Direct TV). Please forward this info on to your congregations and friends via email or through your church website if you can. Even mention it on your Facebook status. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR BEING PART OF AN EVENT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY PROVIDE LIFE - BOTH PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY - TOHUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

Congratulations, Bryan!

2009-06-29T12:52:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Bryan Koch and the Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Reading, PA, which occupied their new worship space this past Sunday.

Here is the TV report.

the offensive word in my prayer

2009-06-25T10:16:00.002-04:00

This morning our local newspaper ran this article about my refusal to take the "offensive word" Jesus out of my prayer to open the State House as a Guest Chaplain this week. In case you-all hear about this little thing and need to defend it, here it is. I hope I have honorably defended my best friend - and represented you-all well. This was not done to sir up trouble, but to respectfully stand up for Jesus in the public square. I hope it comes off that way. -Gerry

Local pastor's prayer rejected by House

Gerry Stoltzfoos, of Freedom Valley Worship Center, was told to remove the word "Jesus" from his planned prayer.

By ERIN JAMES

The Evening Sun

Gerry Stoltzfoos is a man of faith - but not the type who preaches constantly with in-your-face theology. Even the Gettysburg church where he serves as lead pastor is designed more as a gathering hall than as a shrine full of religious imagery.

But when it comes to prayer, Stoltzfoos is steadfast in his approach of speaking directly to and addressing by name the Christian God he worships.

"I think prayer is talking to God, so when I pray, I try to talk to him," said the pastor of Freedom Valley Worship Center.

However, that principle clashed recently with a new policy of Pennsylvania's Speaker of the House, Keith McCall, D-Carbon County.

And two local legislators are speaking out against the policy - which requires the Legislature's guest chaplains to first submit their prayers in writing and then, if deemed necessary, agree to change their words to meet "non-denominational" guidelines established by McCall's staff.

That, Stoltzfoos said, was simply not something he was willing to do when instructed by a member of McCall's staff to remove the word "Jesus" from the prayer he submitted and had planned to recite at Tuesday's session.

"I feel very deeply offended by them asking me to pray but not allowing me to pray in the name of my God," Stoltzfoos said. "We seem to believe in individual freedoms, but then we cut off those freedoms when they become individual."

Stoltzfoos was invited recently by state Rep. Will Tallman, R-Reading Township,

to open Tuesday's session of the House with a prayer. The pastor said he prefers to pray without a script, so the requirement of a prior was submission was "already pushing pretty far past my comfort zone."

But he complied with that request.

Then, in an e-mail, a McCall staff member said the prayer "looks good" but that the word "Jesus" cannot be used in a non-denominational prayer.

Stoltzfoos ultimately declined the invitation rather than remove the phrase "In Jesus' name" from the prayer's conclusion - the only place Jesus' name is used.

"First of all, I don't see how Jesus is denominational. The whole Christian world is called after him," he said. "I just feel like if you want me to pray, then I have to pray to the one thing I know. I only know one God personally. I only serve one God. How do I do something that dishonors him?"

The policy, however, is not an attempt to silence religious leaders but rather an effort to prevent taxpayers from having to foot the bill of a lawsuit if someone objects to a prayer's contents and chooses to sue the state, said McCall spokesman Bob Caton.

"Unfortunately, it's because states like Indiana and Ohio have been sued," Caton said. "We've followed the example that unfortunately was set in other places. We're bringing Pennsylvania's practices in line with what other states have done."

The policy - not yet three months old - requires guest chaplains to submit their prayers in writing beforehand and to omit references to specific religious figures like Jesus, Yahweh or Allah, he said.

"We ideally want to have as varied a group as possible," Caton said. "We just have them operating under these stipulations. It does come with certain guidelines that were thrust upon us basically."

Caton added that Stoltzfoos is still welcome to serve as guest chaplain "under the guidelines."

Traditionally, the office of the Speaker of the House coordinates the prayers - held, along with the Pledge of Allegiance, at the beginning of each day the House is in session.

Legislators, like Tallman, can nominate individuals to serve as guest chaplains.

Tallman said he invited Stoltzfoos because he respects him both as a man of God and for his service as president of the New Oxford Borough Council.

"He's involved, and he's always impressed me with that," Tallman said.

As for what transpired, the representative said he believes "some of the leadership is probably not respecting diversity."

"Why is somebody from the speaker's office going to pre-approve a prayer by a man of God?" Tallman asked. "They're putting themselves in a pretty interesting position there."

He also said he does not believe concerns over potential lawsuits are legitimate, though he declined to comment further as to why.

State Rep. Dan Moul, R-Conewago Township, said he too objects to the prayer policy.

"I personally don't think it's reasonable because our country was founded on Christian-Judeo beliefs. That's who started our government," Moul said. "We should never be ashamed to speak about our Christian beliefs. That's what our prayers are for."

Moul said he supports the right of legislators of all religious backgrounds to invite clergy in as guest chaplains. Legislators have the ability to leave the floor if they find the content of prayers offensive, he said.

"I am extraordinarily tired of the vast majority changing our way of life to accommodate a few," Moul said.

In his years as a legislator, Moul said he has heard a rabbi offer prayers, "and I don't understand hardly a word he says."

"That's what they believe in. That's wonderful. That's freedom. That's what we're here for," he said.

As for the lawsuit argument, Moul said simply: "Let 'em sue us."

Tallman said he plans to organize a bi-partisan group of legislators displeased with the new policy and propose an alternative that could satisfy both sides of the issue.

"We think we need to have a more balanced look at this issue," Tallman said.

Small Groups and Stewardship Seminar

2009-06-24T23:33:00.004-04:00

Pocono Community Church is hosting two live events on July 30 at our new facility.

Need some practical advice on how to increase your giving and organize your finances? What about small groups? Haven't figured out how to put a successful small groups ministry together? Then the Stewardship Seminar and The Activate (Small Groups) Seminar will be incredibly beneficial to you and your church.

Kerrick Thomas of The Journey Church will be teaching both seminars. He and Nelson Searcy have been a tremendous resource for our church. I would strongly recommend you and some of your staff come to this seminar. You won't regret it!

Click here to register. Sign up today. Hope to see you there.

HIStory...

2009-06-22T21:43:00.003-04:00

At our meeting a couple weeks ago one point seemed to be the need for ongoing discussion. I for one would love to hear some other planters stories...where you've been...where you are...how you got there...what God's done along the way...where's He taking you...

Rich?
Gerry?
Bryan?
Anyone?

tap, tap, tap, is this thing on???

First post...

2009-06-16T14:11:00.002-04:00

At last week's meeting Rich Earl challenged us to participate more in this blog. It's always seemed a bit disingenuous for me to do so, because as a non-reader, I don't read many blogs, so what right do I have to write and expect someone to read? ...but I digress...

Seems the best thing to point to in this first post is my experience in church planting. I did not grow up in the living church (went to mainline "social" churches as a kid). Frankly I didn't know there was such a thing until I got saved in my early 20's and began attending a home missions Assemblies of God Church. The burden of my heart almost immediately was that others in the city of Pittsburgh where I grew up would hear what Jesus has done for them.

While in Bible college in Florida during the early 80's, the Lord directed me to plant a church in McKees Rocks, an urban community just outside of Pittsburgh. After completing an internship at a home missions church in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh in 1986, and discussing the matter with my Pastor, I began to meet with Presbyter Ron Baily.

On June 7, 1989, we held our first mid-week Bible study in our home with my wife's mom, grandma and a couple people from our home church. The Lord began to bring people in and on Easter 1990, we held our first Sunday morning church service in our home, continuing to do so until 1991 when we purchased the building we currently still occupy. I quit my secular job and the church became General Council Affiliated in 1993. It's been an amazing 20 years with significant ups and downs, but God continues to prove Himself faithful.

In 1999, after a couple years of discussion, a man in our church stepped out to do a mid-week study in his home with an eye toward planting. Having personally been to a Church Planters' Boot Camp and seeing the value of it, we made arrangements for him to go. In spite of several years of slogging it out, the plant effort failed. Thankfully, the man did not and is serving as a Deacon today, looking forward to another shot in due season. Since that failure the Lord has unearthed and dealt with some things in my brother which would have potentially been destructive had the plant succeeded...can anyone see God's grace?

While serving on the Sectional Committee in January of 2005, we were informed that the Pastor of Brookline Assembly of God (in Pittsburgh) was leaving. The church had been home missions for a number of years, first as an incredibly successful children's outreach ministry under Karey Schaffer, then struggling to continue as a community church after Karey left, in spite of the new Pastor's best efforts. In March of that year the Lord directed me to assume responsibility for the church as a sister church to McKees Rocks. He gave me a plan which was presented to the Sectional Committee, my own Board, as well as the membership of McKees Rocks, with unanimous approval. McKees Rocks had 40 active members and was living week to week...

God had raised up a man to be our Associate Pastor and we installed him in 2004. We couldn't pay him and based on constituency didn't need an Associate, but God knew what was coming in 2005. Mike Russell was installed as the Pastor at Brookline in 2007 where he remains in a bi-vocational role. The church continues to slowly move forward under his leadership and the oversight of our Board. We share several combined services a year, alternating preaching. We also do pulpit exchange a several times a year. We also believe God wants to use us to rescue and/or plant more in the future. Losing such a key man and his family from such a small congregation seems suicidal from a human perspective. Yet because God ordained it, McKees Rocks is moving forward as new folks come in and others are stepping up.

Next time: Pittsburgh Neighborhood Church Network (PNCN)

C3 meetings today

2009-06-09T22:48:00.002-04:00

This afternoon at the C3 seminar in Carlisle, we had 2 hours of pure oxygen. About a dozen or more church leaders sat around tables to discuss how we can reach more of the 9 million people in PennDel who do not attend church.

As we shared what God has given us, we discovered 17 new churches on the drawing boards! 17! that still doesn't bring us up to the 20 new churches that New Jersey planted last year (I love competitiveness in a "spur one another to good works" kind of way). But if we did half that we just might have one of the best years we ever had! And who knows where we could go in the years to come!

Penndel today has something under 400 AG churches in it I believe. What could happen if we had 1000! That might represent 60,000 less people in eternal Hell...

One a smaller scale, I live in Adams County, where the total population numbers about 100,000. Probably less than 20,000 go to church today. What could our county be like if say, 50,000 attended church regularly? How would that affect the economy, crime, or divorce rates?

Recently I read where our county spends about 45% of it's budget on law enforcement, courts, prison, etc. What if crime dropped 50% because we reached a lot of drug dealers, thieves, and addicts, reducing crime so much that the county was awash in money for better things?

Last evening David Crosby read the Apostle Paul's words about finishing his work. I have no idea what it would look like to have finished my work, or our work in reaching people. But I know this; we have about 9 milllion prospects- more than enough for all of us to plant a LOT of church before we even reach the halfway point!

gutsy leaders ask for help

2009-05-26T14:24:00.003-04:00

Steven Sebyala mentioned this scripture last week

⁹ Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”

Jesus disciples asked him a direct question. They wanted to know why they had failed, and what they should learn. I like their direct attempt to get their issues fixed, and to learn. They asked a humble, straightforward question. They didn't dodge the issues, make excuses, or pretent they knew. They wanted to be critiqued and to learn how they could improve themselves.

Paul said that he looks for leaders who are "wise as serpents, and innocent as doves", whcih seems like something these disciples may have been modeling. They were wise enough to ask for help when they needed it, and ask the simplest questions possible.

I want to be like that.

Coal Region Prayer Journey

2009-05-22T21:16:00.005-04:00

The Shamokin area Catalyst pastors took a prayer journey through the deepest part of the lower anthracite coal region in central Pennsylvania this week. They returned with a great sense of the need for some solid, healthy Bible believing churches in this area. Travelling with Rich Earl and Rodney Murphy were Dale Hill, Scott Gray, Kerry Bingaman and Steve Wise.
The group began by driving down Rte 61 through the small coal cities of Mt Carmel and then Centralia (the town that is burning underground) and onto Ashland, Girardville, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, and Gilberton and ended in Frackville, where we ate and talked over the journey. Population in just these towns totals over 40,000, including the small patches of homes in between. Add in the surrounding communities and the population reaches 60,000 or more, with nary a growing church in sight.

In Shenandoah and Mahanoy City we went two by two prayer walking and asked the Lord to help us discern the needs of the cities, and to send a church planter to bring the Gospel.
In one city of just 8,000 we saw 8 Roman Catholic churches, most of which have been closed. In another town we saw 12 churches of all denominations, 8 of which have been closed.

The high unemployment rates, brain drain, high dropout, teen pregnancy rates as well as child abuse rates do not make this region a hot spot to attract industry or even church planters. The culture here is unique, and requires extra grace. The question is "What does the Lord see?"
We will continue to seek the Lord, asking Him to send a team to plant a church or two in this area. It will take extraordinary commitment and wisdom to do so effectively. The need is great and the Lord loves the people of the coal region. Would you pray with us?

Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

church planter who planted 300 churches!

2009-05-12T21:06:00.002-04:00

This weekend we have the privilege of hosting Steven Sebyala of Africa Harvest Mission.

I met Steven a number of years ago at Ron Johnson's church in Hampton Virginia. I was amazed to hear about the 300 churches he planted in Africa, and about his vision as an evangelist to reach a billion African's for Christ by the year 2045! I am such an amateur leader compared to a modern day apostle like this one.

If any of you Pastors happen to be interested and within driving distance Saturday night, our service starts at 6:30pm. Steven is an amazing story teller, preacher of the gospel, and teacher of leaders. He will also be with us Sunday morning.

My Catalyst meeting Tuesday at noon will also feature Steven teaching on leadership. I'd love to have you with us if you are interested.

Crosses burned in Shamokin

2009-05-11T19:59:00.005-04:00

(The following was presented for publication as a letter to the editor after a recent cross burning incident in Shamokin)

The Coal Region has a rich history of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. There is also a historic melding of many cultures. Immigrants from as many as 26 distinct people groups came together in the Anthracite region to work as hard as any people have ever worked to make a life for themselves, and they did it with a high degree of acceptance and cooperation against all odds.
That heritage is being threatened, if the most recent reports of cross burnings on a local culm bank prove true. The recent influx of African-Americans and Latinos has caused anxiety, and some appear to be taking matters into their own hands. That has never worked too well here in America, as we continue to live down our history of lynchings, the KKK shenanigans, Jim Crow laws and more. We had a short spell of skinhead activity in our area in the late 90's that produced nothing good.
This should be a wakeup call especially for the church. It was crosses that they burned! That is an affront to God and to His church. We are in a battle for our community. If we fail to be salt and light then the darkness will prevail, whether it is coming from intruding gang members, or from an angry native populace. We must be vigilant in prayer as well as good works and vocal opposition to evil.
The church must break loose from the paralyzing delusion that nothing has changed. Many churches continue to function as they did 50 years ago without recognizing that the local culture has been in a death spiral. If we do not actively engage everyone who will listen with the life changing message of Jesus Christ then the church in this community will become more and more irrelevant with each passing year.

It is plain...
Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG)
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

We can do better, we must do better. The world waits.

Encouragement For Burned-Out Pastors

2009-04-25T23:29:00.002-04:00

Road trip to a forgotten place

2009-04-23T20:50:00.006-04:00

The primary purpose of the Catalyst movement is to reproduce and plant churches. Having been in the Lower Anthracite Coal Region for 11 years, I have become aware of a spiritual vacuum in the area between Shamokin and Hazleton.This area is filled with many small coal villages that have been deteriorating for decades. Places like Ringtown, Sheppton, Ashland, Frackville, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Hometown and Gilberton. They constitute a forgotten region, but are still populated with tens of thousands of souls. My research indicates that the Pentecostal witness in these towns in almost non-existent, and the church as a whole there is desperately ineffective in presenting the Gospel. The darkness and misery are almost palpable. Our hearts should ache with missionary zeal for these folks.
I recently received a call from a Christian man in one of these towns (Macedonia?) on an unrelated matter. When he realized I was a Pentecostal pastor he began to share his frustration in being unable to find a healthy spirit-filled church anywhere near his home. I knew of some good churches, but they were at least a half hour away. He and his wife are disabled.
Our Catalyst group will be taking a road trip through this region in May. We'll be piling into our church van to chase a dream that God would send someone to break some new and difficult ground. The purpose of the trip is to birth vision and hear from God as we pray and take in the view. We will see abandoned coal structures, blighted cities, and we may even see a place that is literally burning underground (Centralia). We will engage the people and begin a conversation to get a sense of the cost involved to break the stronghold there. Darkness retreats when faced with the light.
Resources, human and otherwise, are hard to come by in these parts. The brain drain that Pennsylvania has experienced for the past decade or two began here in the 1960's. The outlook is bleak and a church planter looking for obviously fertile ground will not find it here. Breaking through will involve toil, commitment, sacrifice and wisdom.
We tend to see white harvest fields where the population trends are moving up. I wonder is that what God sees? I am of the opinion that God delights to show Himself in such places. Where is the light more appreciated than in a desperately dark place.
I am pleased that Rodney Murphy in Hazleton shares this burden and will be joining us on this trip. He attends another Catalyst group and his church is located on the other side of this forgotten region. We seek a partnership and are asking God to send a team to discover and break the missional code for this part of the coal region. I will update this blog when we return from the trip.

Now Accepting Applications

2009-04-23T20:27:00.001-04:00

The MCM Ministry School has just kicked off its season for receiving applicants for the 2009-10 school year. We have launched a new website with information about courses, classes, teachers, etc.

What is UNIQUE about MCM Ministry School?

The MCM Ministry School is designed to provide a prospective student not only with classroom training but with real life experiences in ministry.

Every day we involve students in our PRAYER SCHOOL.
Once a week, we engage in PRACTICAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH in connection with one of eight churches that have been planted in Pittsburgh.
Once a year, the students participate in an INTERNATIONAL TRIP to work in partnership with Mission SOS in a Signs and Wonders Festival among UNREACHED PEOPLE'S GROUPS.

Right now our current students are in Thailand doing ministry...dance teams, drama teams, preaching the gospel on the streets, praying for the sick, and participating with hundreds of people experiencing the reality of Jesus for the first time.

The passion of the MCM Ministry School is to raise up faith-filled adventurers who are committed to living out the supernatural lifestyle of the book of Acts. The practical experiences come in the context of a growing church that is actively planting churches and sending teams to reach unreached people groups.

Next year's class will be able to get hands on experience with church planting through Element Church in Millvale, a new church to be planted in the South Side, as well as with the many other churches in the MCM Network.

Who is the MCM Ministry School For?

It is for anyone interested in preparing for a life of aggressively following Jesus.

Some of our students are right out of High School, and attend the MCM School prior to launching into college.
Some of our students are college grads and are looking for a year of practical experience prior to stepping into a career or into full-time ministry.
Some of our students are currently working in a career and are able to arrange their work schedule to accommodate the classes.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED...There are couple of things for you to do. Visit the MCM Ministry School website. Send in an application. Or attend a day of classes. Coming up on Friday, May 8th, we will have an OPEN CLASS day (from 9am until noon). Come check it out.

The cold Northeast

2009-04-06T15:46:00.003-04:00

By now I'm sure many of you noticed the Newsweek article this week (check it here) called The End of Christian America. Interesting and sad stuff.

On my watch (I've been in ministry for about 25 years), Christianity in America has dropped precipitously, dropping an additional 10 points since 1990. Newsweek is declaring the triumph of post-christian culture, and how wonderful it is that we are more open politically because of it.

One of the pieces of information that grabbed my attention quickly, was that the Northeast now leads the country in religiously unaffiliated people. This of course, is our area and our challenge.

As I pray about this, however, I tend to see one possible light at the end of this dismal tunnel. This could be what Seth Godin calls "the dip", that spot where developmental progress hits an all-time low just before it explodes into the greatest growth season of all time.

God help us turn this slide into a growth curve. God helps us somehow see Christianity grow in 'market share' in our lifetime. God help me not need to face retirement having spent my whole ministry working hard, but not seeing the turn-a-round that rescues my nation from hopeless and helpless decline.

It's interesting and sad that I don't know of anyone who has a definitive plan or idea that is likely to turn this nation around. We need leaders with such a passion, such a plan, and such a likely outcome!

"Give me souls or I die"

What will become of churches?

2009-03-12T09:09:00.006-04:00

"...is the decline of religious adherence in the U.S. a sign of the death of evangelicalism? Or is it an opportunity for the gospel?"

A recent blog post on Out of Ur addresses the decline and potential collapse of Evangelicalism in America. The number of people claiming no religious affiliation has doubled since 1990.

The climate for evangelism has shifted dramatically since 1990. It has been a quantum leap and is accelerating. The need to plant churches in this new culture, and to reconfigure/revitalize existing churches is a herculean task.

Churches that stand still and fail to respond will appear more and more like relics unable to fulfill their missionary call. What is God asking us to do in this environment? Will America end up a hostile mission field like Europe?

What do you think?

"Whatever becomes of churches, the Church of Christ shall never have its strength so sapped by abuses that it must perish, or its lustre so dimmed that the Lord of the Temple must depart from His sanctuary." Alexander MacLaren

CHURCH PLANTING ROUNDTABLE

2009-02-25T10:39:00.003-05:00

Bryan Koch is inviting all Catalyst Groups, Church Planters and those interested in Church Planting to be a part of a special Roundtable and Strategy Session on March 18th in Carlisle, PA.

9:00 NETWORKING: How to develop a church planting network (Bryan Koch & Jeff Leake)

9:30 ASSESSMENT: How to know if someone is a church planter (Tom Rees)

10:00 FUNDING: How to cultivate new revenue streams for church planting (Joel Hunter)

10:30 Break

11:00 COACHING: How to coach leaders to the next level (Daniel McNaughton)

11:30 PREACHING: How to preach to the unchurched (Dave Crosby)

12:00 Lunch

1:00 TEAM: How to put together a successful launch team (Nick Poole)

1:30 STRATEGY: How do we create a multiplying movement? (Bryan Koch/Joel Hunter)

3:00 Closing

Here are the details:

The Philip Bongiorno Conference Center in Carlisle is reserved for us.
The cost for each person would be $10.00 for the lunch.
Each person can pay when they get there.
Feel free to bring your leaders along with you.

Please pre-register with Penny Wheatley at penny@penndel.org or 717.795.5921.

If you need a room for Tuesday night or wish to stay over Wednesday night, you can make those arrangements directly with Nancy Graver at PBCC at ngraver@penndelcc.org or 717.243.7381.

For further questions or details please contact Tom Rees at tom@penndel.org or 717.795.5921.

Rick Warren Invocation

2009-01-21T17:39:00.001-05:00

Pastor Rick Warren gave the invocation at President Obama's inauguration. As we pray for our new president, may God give him "the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity."

Here is the full prayer:

Almighty God -- our Father. Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory. History is your story. The Scripture tells us, ‘Hear, Oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.’ And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now today we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge-point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King, and a great cloud of witnesses, are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice-President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom, and justice for all.

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us.

And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes -- even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all. May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation, and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day, all nations and all people will stand accountable before you.

We now commit our new president, and his wife Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life -- Yeshua, Isa, Jesús, Jesus -- who taught us to pray:

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

gotta be a God thing

2009-01-09T00:03:00.003-05:00

If this is gonna happen- if we are going to be able to plant 10 churches in partnership with other churches in the community, well, it is going to HAVE to be a God thing.

I am more and more aware of how difficult it can be for churches to work together closely on a project such as this. I am not amazed that it doesn't happen more.

I guess the bottom line is, we are asking churches to trust us that we will make this a win for them, and will do everything we can to make it something that will cause their churches to grow, even while they plant another one.

We are trusting in God to make that happen. Not because it's our idea (planting churches). It's His. And He will do it -build His church- with or without us.

I want it to be with.

Christianity Today Top Ten books for ministry leaders 2008

2009-01-01T13:39:00.007-05:00

Here is a link to an interesting list of books from Christianity Today to provoke thought and conversation for ministry leaders.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/fall/21.76.html

From the article: "Charles Spurgeon counseled his students to be discriminating about what they read, and to bathe in good books "until they saturate you." He said, "A student will find that his mental constitution is more affected by one book thoroughly mastered than by twenty books merely skimmed." But which books to choose? Each year in ministry, leaders find there are more books to read and less time to read them. That is why Leadership is presenting the ten books of 2008 deemed most valuable for church leaders. The titles were compiled from submissions by a diverse group of more than 100 pastors from across the country. Our contributing editors then voted to determine the winners in two categories: The Leader's Inner World, and The Leader's Outer World. We hope this canon contributes to your development as both a follower of Christ and a leader of his church. And yes, we know canon means "list" and not "artillery," but we still liked the image."

ALSO- for those interested in growing your library cheaply with local library Book Sales sign up here for automatic notification of sales in your area. Books typically sell for between $1-3 for hardcovers, and .50c and $1.50 for paperbacks at these sales, but arrive early.

http://www.booksalefinder.com/

God is so good!

2008-11-19T00:08:00.000-05:00

Well the first step went very well. We have a long way to go.

But today's meeting with 12 key Pastors in our community went extremely well. Jim Ruddy delivered an amazing teaching on how Abraham was called to go out to a place he did not know, and that God would give him that land for his inheritance. The Holy Spirit stirred our souls with excitement about what it feels like to walk in uncomfortable places, in faith.

There was a powerful feeling of possibility on the room. Several Pastors commented on how important it was that we were all working together on something as Kingdom-powerful as reaching thousands of new believers and starting 10 new church in the next 18 months. All seemed honored to be part of something on this scale- something that has never been done in America- some thing that could raise the water level of faith in our community. I could almost see the Holy Spirit walking among us, tapping our shoulders, gaining our attention.

We are hoping that many of these churches will mother their first church plant, that all will grow, and all will experience fresh anointing that comes when we do something out of our comfort zone, that God cares so much about.

Thanks everyone for your kind expressions of prayer and support. Amazing things are happening!

I need prayer!!

2008-11-17T17:31:00.002-05:00

Friends,

Tommorrow, Nov 18, at 12 noon, Jim Ruddy and I are gathering about 12 very influential Pastors in the Gettysburg area, to present to them an idea that we think has great potential.

May I ask you to pray with us? I have never felt as small, or more needy of God's help.

God seems to have given us a glimpse of an idea that we think has potential to reach thousands of new believers, and start 10 new churches.

Our Swedish friend, Evangelist Johannes Amritzer is holding Signs & Wonders crusades around the world that result in hundreds or thousands of salvations, and often 10 or more new churches at a time.

Could that heppen here in America?

We are asking God for it, and we are asking you to pray for us. Would you please? You may know how challenging it is to get churches to work together on projects, and how often those projects can be side tracked into endless christian trivia that does not necessarily reach the harvest.

That is why I am asking (begging) for your help in prayer. A hundred years from now, we hope that you will meet some believers in Heaven that you prayed for.

I know you have busy lives and so much to do. I know you are doing Kingdom-growing things as well, many of which are far better ideas than this. I will pray for you when I hear of them, and ask God for your success in the eternal work that we do.

Thank you for considering it.

Gerry Stoltzfoos

Freedom Valley Worship Center

Gettysburg, PA.

Communitas: intimacy through adventure

2008-11-10T14:05:00.030-05:00

Many of us crave teamwork, adventure and risk in our leadership environment, but most of the time these are sorely missing. We are caught between our need for stability and success in ministry, and the powerful lure to live an edgier form of Christianity, like we imagine Jesus Himself and the apostles lived.

How many times have we bemoaned the lack of commitment we see from church folks? No matter how hard we promote and cajole, it seems like the same folks always make up the core of volunteers. There must be a better way to carry out Christ's mission. What began as an amazing safari turns into a tedious trip to the zoo.

I think I may have found an answer in what Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost call "Communitas". Dictionary.com defines it as "the sense of sharing and intimacy that develops among persons who experience liminality as a group." "Liminality" refers to a place of threshhold, where a group is out of their normal environment and culture and moving into a new phase of experience.

Communitas describes what I felt on the cold and wet soccer field or in the suffocating wrestling room as my fellow athletes struggled together chasing the elusive goal of greatness. It is found in perhaps its most extreme form on the field of battle, when soldiers very lives depend upon their intimate relationships with their comrades.

I have always wondered why I have not found a greater sense of teamwork and closeness in church life, even among peers in our denomination. I have found most relationships to be pretty much surface level, and cooperation to be short-lived. I know I am not alone.

As a fraternity brother in the 1970's the pursuit of communitas in the house was very intentional. In fact, it was the main goal when bringing new members into the house. The hazing and rituals were all about creating a "brotherhood" through liminality. While Christ's methods and goals are very different from those of a secular fraternity, lessons can be drawn from what they are able to achieve.

There have been times when I felt a greater sense of communitas, as opposed to the shallow and paltry sense of "Community" we usually end up with in the church context. Short-term missions trips produce this level of relationship because they place us in a foreign environment with limited resources and uncertain outcomes. Folks feel united, exhilirated and renewed after such an experience, and are generally disappointed when they return to "normal" church.

But I have identified a few other practical ways to promote and create communitas in our churches and lives. Group fasting creates a type of communitas, as do retreats, certain types of small groups, spiritual discipline groups, and intentional missional outreaches. Articulating purpose and vision and plunging into it with others is what these ordeals are all about, and they energize people. There are innumerable ways to do this.

The idea of liminality is crucial because while we go to great lengths to make people comfortable in church, the way to intimacy and greater commitment may lie in calling them, counterintuitively, to a higher level of separation and sacrifice.

I am still researching this idea, but believe that the renewal of our movement and churches may lie in pursuing communitas. Paul had communitas in the churches he planted, and in his planting team. Jesus had it with His disciples, and when given the chance to opt out of it they replied, "Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life." John 6:68

Jeff Leake's event

2008-10-22T13:36:00.002-04:00

I should start this with a disclaimer: Jeff Leake did not authorize me to do this. I could be messing up some of his plans, I don't know. I lifted this off his blog directly.

But I have been to his events similar to this in the last few years, and find them incredibly life giving. I think you should know about them. I'd love to see you there.

His new church planting school, and growing vision through his church planting network, is really excellent, and rare. I think it would be cool to see a couple of you visionary types there next week!

Gerry Stoltzfoos

Coming Soon: HARVESTCRY 2008

Next month, Allison Park Church is going to host our first HARVESTCRY event in partnership with Mission SOS.

What is HARVESTCRY?

It is three nights of services/events to celebrate what God is doing around the world and to focus our attention on the cry of those unreached with the gospel.

It is also an opportunity for prospective students to check out the MCM Ministry School by attending the MCM Classes for a day.

What happens each night?

THURSDAY 7PM - Jeff Deyo in concert. Jeff was formerly the lead singer for SONICFLOOD. He has written some powerful songs like BLESS THE LORD and JESUS I SURRENDER. The concert is FREE to all.

FRIDAY 7PM - David Santistevan will lead us in worship and Johannes Amritzer from Mission SOS will be our special guest speaker. Before and after the service the concourse will be filled with inflatables and lots of fun.

SATURDAY 6PM - APC Missions Celebration Service - during this evening service, we will celebrate some of the happenings and testimonies from our missions endeavors around the world. Johannes will again be our speaker for this special evening.

SUNDAY 9 AND 11AM SERVICES - This weekend the Saturday and Sunday services will be distinct. Johannes will speak on Saturday night. I will speak on Sunday morning. During the Sunday services we have some special testimonies planned and we will celebrate communion together to conclude this wonderful week.

What about the MCM MInistry School?

The School will be highlighted at all the evening events. But Friday morning will be something special. ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE SCHOOL IN THE FUTURE, can attend the MCM classes on Friday morning.

If you want more information, or would like to sign up for this MCM Ministry School Experience, CLICK HERE.

Before He Speaks

2008-10-09T17:02:00.001-04:00

Special thanks to Jim Pentz for passing this along!

'Let it Rise': A Benefit Worship Concert

2008-09-27T13:28:00.002-04:00

I know this is far in advance, but there is already much angst locally regarding the numbers of families that are going to find their heating fuel bills overwhelming this winter. There is no one solution, but the churches in State College are prepared to help be part of the solution.

On Sunday, November 23 (the Sunday before Thanksgiving) at 7 pm, there will be a community benefit worship concert held at State College Assembly of God, in which a collection will be taken to assist needy families in this regard.

There will be worship bands from 3 congregations participating: Unity Church of Jesus Christ (who may have the best worship team in town), Calvary Baptist, and State College Assembly of God. The music will be superb and the evening will end with 3 roof-raising songs with all 3 bands joining as one. The event will be heavily advertised in various local media outlets, and the Salvation Army has agreed to administer the funds.

With broad support, together we hope to make a big difference. Also, we hope to introduce many community members to contemporary worship at the same time.

This might be an idea that you might want to use. If you start right now, there is still time to pull something like this off in your community for the glory of God.

Seeds planted in unreached tribe

2008-09-22T08:52:00.008-04:00

I visited our local skate park in Shamokin alone last night with 7 Bibles in hand to give away. Last week a group of 17 of us cleaned up their park again and served BBQed burgers and dogs, but I think we overwhelmed them and felt we invaded their turf. The Lord showed me last week what I needed to do to plant some seed. Going alone was the right thing last night.
As I got out of my car I approached a group of about 8 youth in the parking lot and asked if they wanted free Bibles. They were suspicious and unreceptive and said they did not need a Bible. I was glad there was another group over by the skate ramps or this trip would have been a bust in 30 seconds flat!
As I approached the group by the ramps I was glad I had called for prayer support from my wife Faith. I could feel the Lord's hand on me. Cold call evangelism is not my style, so I was glad when some of the kids recognized me from our previous clean up trips.
I asked them if they would like a free Bible and they all said "sure". I then asked if I could read a chapter to them and they said "no problem", and started asking me questions about heaven before I even got started. I was concerned that one wise guy would dominate and distract the group with silly questions, but his questions turned out to be sincere. He even told me that he gets afraid sometimes that heaven is real and he won't be there.
There were 7 kids at first, all boys, but then a few others came over to see what was up. We talked for 40 minutes and I got to look into their eyes and see a lot of pain and hunger. I told them that connecting with God was the most important thing, we talked about repentance and drugs and demons and miracles. Some of them knew quite a bit about the Bible, and you could tell which ones knew right from wrong. The focus was on Jesus and what He came to do on this earth. I left when it got dark and told them I would be back soon. I need more Bibles...
This was one of the most exhilirating times of evangelism I have ever had. I think it was because of the uncertainty. I like security and usually try to make any ministry opportunities a "sure thing" with no room for error. I don't think Jesus operated that way. He was on the edge all the time. It did not make Him nervous, but it gave the disciples fits!

The Lure of the Automat

2008-09-18T20:53:00.014-04:00

The Horn and Hardart Automat Restaurant in NY City, circa 1960's

My dad was a child of the depression and spent his early years in Brooklyn before my grandfather moved the family out to what was then "the country", but is now just another congested NY City suburb, the Village of Valley Stream. My dad maintained a fascination for the city, linked with a healthy fear that he passed on to his five children.

One thing that had special lure for him was the famous Horn and Hardart Automat in Manhattan (the first one was actually in Philadelphia). I remember him taking us there when we were small. There was an amazing array of freshly prepared foods behind crystal clear glass doors that were available "automatically" when you dropped your nickels in the slot. This was real Americana and the height of consumerism.

In Organic Church author Neil Cole describes the "all by itself" principle of church growth/discipleship that Jesus spoke of in Mark 4:26-29.

"...The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

That was the lure of the automat. It seemed as though the food just presented itself without any human involvement at all. That had great appeal in an era when we had yet to really see the dark side of science and technology. (Remember the Jetsons cooking food in those magic machines)

But the fact was that "automats weren’t truly automatic. They were heavily staffed. As a customer removed a compartment’s contents, a behind-the-machine human quickly slipped another sandwich, salad, piece of pie or coffee cake into the vacated chamber." (Wikipeda reference)

Christian Schwarz (Natural Church Development) also speaks of this same principle which says that if the circumstances and environment (church health) are right then church growth and discipleship will begin to happen all by themselves. This runs counter to our strategic style of planting churches which emphasize demographics, facilities, flow charts and powerful launches.

The thing we must wrestle with is what Jesus says. He is the one, in parabolic form, who says that the kingdom grows "all by itself". Our role, according to the parable is to scatter seed in order to grow the kingdom. This task of sowing is emphasized in the Parable of the Soils and the Parable of the Mustard Seed as well.

Sometimes I think we try to reap a harvest when there has been little in the way of real sowing of seed. We spend an enormous amount of resources on impersonal advertising, growing programs, events and churches, but what would qualify as "sowing the seed" of the Gospel gets neglected.

This is meant as a word of encouragement. I have always taken more responsibility for the growth of my church than I think the Lord would ask of me. Perhaps we should spend more time removing stones, turning over ground, keeping our furrows straight, placing seeds in the ground, and keeping them watered. After all, the growth is up to the Lord Himself!

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters,

but God who gives the increase.

Second unreached tribe discovered in Shamokin

2008-08-25T10:08:00.014-04:00

My last post seemed to generate some interest so I am following it with this which occurred Sunday night. I do believe that the discussion and implementation of missional ideas and practices is just beginning. Experimentation and retooling are words we had better get used to.

The fact is that unreached tribes make up most of our culture. When we focus on being attractional we see these tribes as competition because we want them to leave their tribe and join ours. But that's not how successful missions work accomplishes the goal of growing the kingdom. We cannot merely put on native clothes in order to infiltrate the new tribe. We must have genuine love for people, and be willing to spend time with them.

Our Faith in Action team of 25 (including teens and children) met at 6 pm for prayer and the Word before heading out on four mercy missions. I shared Luke 14 -the Parable of the Great Supper -to give foundation to our task of going into the highways and hedges. We also included our prayer team, who remained at the church to intercede for our work.

Space does not permit me to elaborate on the amazing God moments experienced by the three smaller groups we sent out. But the group I was leading discovered a second lost tribe of young people at a local skate park. It resembled "Lord of the Flies" as there were no adults in sight, and there was an aboriginal feel to the place.

We first set out for the park where we discovered the "Ultimate Fighting" tribe a few weeks ago (see earlier post). They were nowhere to be found. So we cleaned up the park again and talked and prayed with a group of five who were playing basketball. They seemed embarassed, but grateful as we gave them each a 20 oz. ice cold energy drink.

Next we headed to the skate park. A notoriously dirty and dangerous place. It was filthy, but the tribe of about 30 skaters between the ages of 11 and 20 seemed oblivious to their surroundings. We began sweeping and picking up, waiting for a chance to speak with some of them. We had only 19 energy drinks to give out, but with 30 kids there, I was afraid giving them out would start a riot, so I began to ask the Lord what to do.

Then it became clear to me that I could stand in the middle of the park and hand the drinks out to those who answered questions I would ask. It was a bit risky, but I ran to the van and got the cooler. I summoned anyone who wanted an energy drink to come close, and instantly had a group of 15 hanging on my words. (the older "cool ones" did not come around, it was mostly the younger ones)

I proceeded to ask them general Bible questions off the top of my head. "Who was Moses and what was the most important thing he did?", "Name one thing Jesus said," "Who was Judas and what did he do?", and so on. It was electric. These kids were thinking and talking about God. One kid recited the entire Lord's Prayer. They came up short on John 3:16, but it gave me a chance to tell them about it.

The spontaneous atmosphere, and incarnational character of what we have been doing opens the door for the Spirit to do more than if we had stayed in our church box. It also gives more value to the times we do meet for worship and teaching because that's where we get fueled for the mission.

As we were leaving some of the boys came and said thanks for cleaning up, and for the drinks. I am hoping they will begin to take pride in the place and keep it clean themselves. Then one of the boys, who was wearing a Led Zeppelin t-shirt, came up to me and said, "I think you were my pastor when I was a kid." I thought he looked familiar, and it turned out to be Georgie. His family had left the church in a split a few years ago, but George always sat up front and loved to be in church. It was great to reconnect with him, and I think something stirred in his heart. I know something stirred in mine.

1 Corinthians 15:58 With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

Unreached tribe discovered in Shamokin

2008-08-11T11:40:00.015-04:00

Many of us have been reading a lot over the past few years about the missional church and how to reach our culture. It is obvious that things are changing rapidly, and we are lurching farther and farther away from the type of church we grew up in. We are clearly at the place where we must be true missionaries who bring the gospel to unreached people, rather than trying to return the culture to a church they never really knew.

In light of this new reality many have spoken of the tribalization of our culture. We are no longer a homogenous "American" culture, but rather a panoply of tiny and distinct tribes. From skaters to goths and from Nascar to NY City arts types, not to mention the many ethnic groups, we seem to be coalescing around fairly narrow personal interests and affinities. The trend is accelerating. The church is seen as a separate subculture all it's own, with numerous sub subcultures. This has profound implications for us in pastoral ministry as we move away from a purely attractional model.

Mountainside began a bold experiment (bold for us, anyway) this summer as "Faith in Action" was born. We morphed a successful in house small group ministry into a team mission approach to reach our own community. The tiny group of 8 who began with us a few months ago has swelled to as many as 32 as we branch out every Sunday night to perform acts of service for whoever needs help. The focus is on the unreached, though we help church folks too. There are no strings attached, and we have not pushed or promoted our church at all. We do pray with people (they almost always cry grateful tears when we do) when we are done, but prefer to wait for them to ask us why we are doing what we are doing. We have had some visit our services, and one single mom has already surrendered to Jesus. Teams then gather at a local eatery to discuss our excursions and share what God did each night.

This past Sunday I took a small group of teens to do some street sweeping and trash pickup at a local playground. As we drove up we were surprised to find a large group of about 35 teens and younger kids gathered on a grassy patch. They were cheering and we noticed two shirtless teens wrestling in the middle. At first I thought they were just wrestling (Shamokin is a wrestling town), but as I spoke with some of the boys, I found out it was their own version of "Ultimate Fighting". There is no punching, but choke holds are allowed, and you either pin your opponent or they have to "tap out". They alternated matches between older teen and pre-adolescent boys. There was not an adult in sight.

I have an extensive history in amateur wrestling and I am not a big fan of the more brutal forms of the sport. Much like missionaries to Africa were forced to overlook the nakedness of primitive tribes in order to be accepted by them I had to withold my criticisms and safety concerns in order to engage the members of the tribe in conversation. I was able to meet a few members of the tribe and set the stage for a return visit in a few weeks.

Shamokin is a difficult mission field. The city is facing bankruptcy and everything good is shrinking, while negatives abound. We have seen 4 churches close in the past few years, with many others holding on for dear life. The situation is dire.

Any strategy to see this community transformed must be long term or we should really not bother. Single events or splashy presentations will not make a ripple. Missions work is not for the faint of heart or glory-seekers. If we had been holed up in church that night we never would have discovered this "lost" tribe. Now we must pray for an open door for the gospel. The need for our being there is acute as we seek to gain their confidence and provide a redeeming presence.

Bell to Well

2008-07-21T23:24:00.004-04:00

Some futurists and cultural observers are positing the demise of the familiar Bell Curve which charts normal distribution and the ascendency of what is being called the Well Curve. Some have said that this only happens in times of great social upheaval and transition.

In modern times it was a given that there was a large middle and smaller extremes. The middle class was the norm, with the very rich and very poor at the fringes- smaller in number.

The theory of the well curve assumes that the middle has been slowly disappearing, and the extremes are on the rise. This is hard to argue with when you consider the evidence in education (achievers and dropouts), economics (rich and poor), technology (small and big), politics (liberal and conservative). There are examples in almost every aspect of life.

I heard Leonard Sweet touch on this at a conference last year and was intrigued. I looked for signs of this phenomenon in church life and the news. I am seeing more evidence as time goes on. The megachurch movement is an example. It seems we are seeing rises in large churches which value diversity and excellence, and also in small and house churches which value community. The "plain vanilla" church with little to distinguish itself, is becoming less attractive. I spoke with a seasoned ministry pioneer recently about a church plant in a certain community and he said the only thing that would work would be something that had "an edge to it". That's the edge of the well curve as I see it.

It seems this is already affecting our churches as we have some folks who are very involved in our mission, and others stay aloof and merely attned on Sunday. Some churches are doing away with membership, while others are raising the bar or providing options for membership.

Perhaps this explains the difficulty many churches are having with maintaining a viable Sunday School. It is based on a premise that everyone wants the same thing on Sunday morning. Vanilla is no longer the preferred flavor- everyone wants a custom flavor.

I think this is something to watch in the days ahead. There may be adjustments we need to make to maintain our "edge". I think Jesus lived there!

Gas Prices and Church Attendance

2008-07-07T08:15:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday's front page of the local Centre Daily Times featured a McClatchy Newspaper story suggesting that rising gas prices may permanently affect the lifestyle of Americans.

Of course, pastors such as myself wonder how it will affect church attendance and involvement.

A recent USA Today story touched on this somewhat, but one wonders if the church attendance megatrend of the past 20 years may begin to reverse itself.

What is that trend?

Well, one might call it the Wal-Marting of worship. Many years ago, small congregations built worship buildings within walking/carriage distance within small communities or at crossroads in rural farming areas.

Over the past few decades, more and more people chose to drive to larger congregations in nearby larger communities, which could offer more expansive children's and youth programs as well as stirring, semi-professional music. (Of course, the preaching wasn't necessarily any better.:)) As a result, many of the smaller congregations fell on hard times as scores of cars would pass them on the way to the big city.

One now wonders if that trend will begin to reverse itself. I have been told by some that they cannot afford to travel 45 minutes and be involved in our congregation and are choosing to attend somewhere closer to home.

I don't know; it's too soon to predict a megatrend yet, but one wonders.

Lakeland: The Blog

2008-07-02T13:33:00.002-04:00

Once again the Body of Christ is trying to discern what is of God and what is not in a reputed revival.

To help, Tom Rees has compiled a blog with assorted helpful information for pastors and others, including pros and cons.

Tom reports; you decide.

Extreme Home Makeover

2008-06-09T15:50:00.004-04:00

Green Ridge Assembly of God Style

Click here for TV News Video

Here is some great news out of northeast PennDel.
From the Times Tribune:

DUNMORE - Minutes before the Murray family pulled up after being sequestered in an area hotel for three days, their house was still a beehive of activity, swarmed by volunteers engaged in a last-minute frenzy of finishing touches.

"Ten minutes!" yelled the Rev. David Twiss, Assembly of God's lead pastor and coordinator of the Green Ridge church's project, a sort of local version of the hit television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

Bill Yeisley, of Old Forge and an employee for C.A. Sileo Construction in Dunmore, volunteers his time to renovate a bathroom at the Murray home at 135 East Grove St. in Dunmore on Thursday, June 5, 2008. The home makeover was organized by the Green Ridge Assembly of God.

A human conveyor belt formed in the yard as kids and parents alike passed boxes of debris to be hauled away. Karen Liples adjusted the sash above a window in the master bedroom upstairs, and William McDonald was still smoothing the grout between new slate tiles on the kitchen floor while another man ran a sponge across the floor behind him.

What began as a simple bathroom renovation and ceiling repair for a family in need, morphed into a massive community undertaking as more and more people - many from outside the church - heard about the project and donated time, money and supplies, which, according to the Rev. Twiss, probably exceeded $20,000.

"People just kept coming," said Charles Sileo, a local contractor who had been working on the site with his two sons since 7 the previous morning.

A "before" shot of the home would have panned the ceiling above the front entrance, which was a gaping hole for several years after a leak in the upstairs bathroom, a broken twin bed shared by the two boys and wicker chairs around the dining room table with many of the seats smashed through.

The "after" version would showcase a new swirl-textured ceiling, a bunk bed in the boys' room, new carpet, new couches, reupholstered chairs, a refurbished kitchen, paint inside and out and a landscaped yard replete with a crimson maple sapling, geraniums and purple salvia in front and a "Serenity Garden" with lavender and a birdbath in back.

The volunteers, about 70 of them, gathered along the curb outside the Murray family's home at 135 E. Grove St., eager to see the family's reaction.

When Joseph and Lynn Murray and their five children pulled up and got out of the car, the crowd clapped and hollered and the family stood quietly. Courtney, 14, in her basketball jersey, brushed tears from her cheeks and one of her brothers, Matthew, 11 let out a "Yee-haw!" of approval.

"It's just overwhelming," Joseph Murray said. "All the people who helped, I just can't say thank you to everyone," he said.

***********************************************************************

Kudos to Pastor Dave Twiss and the congregation and community of Greenridge! What a great way to spend a weekend!

For All of Us, May This Be Our Prayer for Our City

2008-06-02T18:56:00.000-04:00

Youth Ministry Resources

2008-05-24T10:17:00.003-04:00

It's been many, many years since I was a youth pastor, but I came across this list of youth ministry web sites on Christianity Today's blog site, sites recommended by Mark Oestreicher, president of Youth Specialties.

I trust it's of help to someone.

Catalyst Groups Make a Difference!

2008-05-12T08:56:00.000-04:00

Belonging Before Believing?

2008-05-10T20:19:00.006-04:00

This is a phrase I've heard quite often in the past five years, and I'd like to take a moment to challenge it, because so much is at stake. And since this blog is all about ecclesiology...

The phrase, "belonging before believing," suggests that unbelievers should feel included in the Body of Christ so as to cause them to be more open to believing. One writer in my own denomination has even suggested that every church board should have an unbeliever on the board. Now, I'm certainly not one to suggest that we should not be extra-nice to unbelievers who come to our worship services, but I would suggest that they should understand that it actually means something to be a Christian, and that passing from death to life is not a line that should be easily blurred.

Now, I don't think I'm a pure contrarian (I'm actually rather committed to non-traditionalism), but I do think it is always fair to question the questioners. I'm afraid there is an attitude out there that some can question everything Christianity has ever held sacred, but they themselves cannot be questioned. Is that arrogance or just immaturity or something else? I don't know, but for some, being positive means questioning everything except those who are questioning everything.

Anyhow, here are some of my questions regarding "belonging before believing":
1. Where is the New Testament biblical support for such an idea? Is the Church not the communion/community of the saints? Did I miss a memo canceling out New Testament ecclesiology?
2. What is the compelling reason for overturning 2000 years of ecclesiology? For example, did Jonathan Edwards get canned in Northampton for no good reason? Were the catechetical schools of the Early Church for nothing?
3. How is this different than liberal Protestant churches who wish to include all regardless of their faith or lifestyle? How effective a strategy has that been for them?
4. If you can't draw the line at ministry, or membership, or 'lay' leadership, where do you draw the line? Ordination? And why?
5. If Willowcreek has now discovered that their "seeker sensitive" strategy has caused a lack of maturation of the saints, how does this strategy not "seeker sensitive" on steroids, and thus doomed to fail even faster?
6. Why do you see corporate gatherings as the primary means of evangelism, when in the New Testament and Early Churches, it was interpersonal and outside the corporate gatherings?
7. If communion is banned from those who fail to "discern the Body of Christ," how does an unbeliever meet the requirement of 1 Corinthians 11?
8. What are the major success stories of this strategy that you would share, particularly in non-urban settings (in major urban settings you can get a group of people together who worship shoelaces).

Just wondering. My questions are 100% sincere. Can anyone help me here?

"An Evangelical Manifesto"

2008-05-09T16:49:00.003-04:00

Many in the evangelical world has been abuzz about the newly released collaborative statement, "An Evangelical Manifesto."

Here is the main site, and a PDF file of the actual (long) statement. I count 9 Assemblies of God leaders/scholars among the 77 original signatories.

Any thoughts?

Beauty

2008-05-09T12:06:00.002-04:00

Wow!

This is a powerful video from Mosaic Church.

I plan on using it this weekend in my Mother's Day message.
It communicates God's grace and how He adds color to our lives.

Ministries Summit

2008-05-06T14:44:00.003-04:00

The Penn-Del Ministries Summit is being held this week in Dover, Delaware at Calvary Assembly of God led by Roland Coon.

Here are a few thoughts from the 7th pew back on the right hand side of the sanctuary:

1. Pastor Coon has a really sweet facility here in Dover. It's always cool to check out other churches in the District.

2. Paul Grabill was just reelected as the Assistant Superintendent. Congrats Paul! We love you man.

3. There are showing tons of videos to promote the C3 and church planting. Good stuff. Church planters rock. My friend just got back from India and he told me that you are not allowed to be part of the AG in India unless you plant a church or pastor a church that plants at least one church a year. That's serious! Perhaps that's why they are turning their nation upside down for Christ.

More to come!

2008-05-04T22:20:00.002-04:00

Friends,

I want to make you aware of someone who will be manning a table at the Ministries Summit next week. If you are interested in starting a young adult ministry, it would be worth your time to meet Cindy Janczyk and find out more about her ministry, “The S.O.S. Project” (www.thesosproject.com). She has authored a book and curriculum series on relationships entitled, Finding Intimacy in a Love-Starved World. It’s a great resource for ministers who see the need for reaching twenty-somethings but don’t know where to begin. You should check it out.

Cindy worked on our ministry staff at Freedom Valley, co–founding and directing our marriage ministry for nearly 10 years until God called her to work with young adults before marriage. Currently, she is leading a thriving young adult ministry at our church and holds a 5 year position on the faculty of Gettysburg Master's Commission. Cindy is anointed to write and teach on the Song of Solomon love-model, bringing biblical relevancy to today’s relationship challenges. Her writings reflect years of "inner court" experiences with Jesus Christ and she approaches the sensitive themes of romance with non-threatening finesse, communicating a love that’s tangible for this culture.

I hope you have the pleasure of meeting her.

Gerry Stoltzfoos

A Pastoral Question: Did Wright Feel Wronged?

2008-04-29T09:50:00.005-04:00

**This post has nothing to do with politics, except what we can learn to help us be better pastors.**

On the one hand, it seems there has been more than enough public analysis of Barack Obama's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and his public speeches (his past sermons and his most recent appearance at the National Press Club), including a brief post of my own here a month ago on my Centre Daily Times blog, Pray Tell.

On the other hand, much of the recent analysis has focused on the obvious--that Pastor Wright's continued outspokeness is surely hurting his former parishoner's campaign for the presidency. The talking heads have asked if Pastor Wright is utterly clueless to this fact (yet he appears to be quite bright), or is he just plain selfish, wanting any spotlight he can get for himself and his upcoming book.

I believe there are two other possibilities:

(1) That Jeremiah is incredibly focused on his lifelong, prophetic 'jeremiad,' and cares little about how it affects anyone in his life, including himself. Of course, that doesn't sound very pastoral.

(2) That he is hurt that Barack Obama has distanced himself from his former pastor (in particular, disinviting Rev. Wright to his original candidacy announcement last year).

The second theory is given credence by an insightful news commentary linked today on the Drudge Report, that the woman who organized Rev. Wright's appearance before the National Press Club is an avid supporter of Hillary Clinton.

Okay, maybe Rev. Wright was manipulated a bit, but that begs the question as to what would cause him, again, to so obviously do something that would bring harm to Obama's candidacy, the first real possibility that America has ever had of electing an African-American to the presidency.

A lot of people think that pastors are beyond being hurt, but, unfortunately, I have not found that to be the case. Not only are we people, too, but sometimes we expect far too much from those around us and we wrestle with the same forgiveness issues that everyone wrestles with when that happens.

As someone who often oversees pastors, I often hear their stories of hurt and disappointment coming from an action of one of their parishoners. I often say to them, "That's why they need us."

In the Early Church, there was a book written called The Shepherd of Hermas. It was held in such high regard that some Early Church fathers felt it should be included in the Christian Scriptures. Here is a passage that is a hard passage for pastors to hear, but I share it nonetheless:

For if the shepherds themselves shall have been found scattered, how will they answer for the flocks? Will they say that they were harassed by the flock? No credence will be given them. For it is an incredible thing that a shepherd should be injured by his flock; and he will be punished the more because of his falsehood.

Have I ever been hurt by a parishoner? Yes, I'm afraid I have, but I try to remember the passage above and then forgive and move on. It's like a parent overreacting to a hurt from a teenager. It can then endanger everyone.

Pastors, by nature, have to have a great degree of sensitivity, but that sensitivity can also bring us (and everyone else) down if we are not careful.

What do you think?

Improving our Ministry Economy

2008-04-07T13:27:00.003-04:00

In May, evangelical Christians across America will receive tens of billions of unexpected dollars from the IRS.

We at State College A/G are encouraging our people to give in a short-term "Improving our Ministry Economy" campaign. You could make it for anything, but we are asking people to give toward our mortgage to save money in the long run and release more ministry.

I am asking those without serious personal debt issues to consider doing what Arline and I will do--simply endorse the check over. Others may split it in half, or do whatever they feel the Lord wants them to do.

It's not too late for you to do this. We have very, very simple artwork. If you wish to email me at pgrabill@aol.com, I can send you a PDF file.

Sven's 11 steps to identify pride

2008-04-06T08:40:00.001-04:00

Sven Bengsston's 11 ways to identify pride

1. talks about self
2. wants the glory
3. is not impressed by others
4. is a bad listener
5. lies to maintain a false front
6. lies to avoid embarrassment
7. will not admit wrong
8. has a hard time asking for help
9. wants to be different
10. is demanding
11. always wants to be boss

If you want, you can watch or listen to this message at www.freedomvalley.org, in the sermons section. Hopefully you will be helped as much as I was!

messed up

2008-04-06T00:17:00.002-04:00

Wow, God messed me up tonight.

Sven Benggston preach tonight on 11 ways to know if pride is creeping into your life. To my dismay and humiliation, I pretty much found myself in all 11 of them! Instead of praying for a lot of penitent sinners at the altar, I led them there and wept, while the Holy Spirit scrubbed my rotten little heart.

I left my notes in my Bible at church, so perhaps later I can write them out for you here. But until then, his sermon (which probably will not hit you like it hit me) is available on our website if you care to watch or listen to it.

And while I am at it, please forgive me, all of you, for my pride and my arrogance. If I know anything from years of counseling and leading people, it is that you-all saw this in me for years already, and were patiently waiting for God to deal with me on it. I usually marvel when someone repents, that they are the last person to see it -everyone else already knew. So I would guess you-all saw this in me years ago. I am horrified and humiliated, and so sorry.

You-all must have put up with a lot, while waiting. I am sorry. Please pray for me. And thank you for your friendship nonetheless all these years.

Gerry Stoltzfoos

BridgePoint Church Opens

2008-03-17T22:05:00.001-04:00

BrigePoint Church in Tarentum had their Grand Opening service on Sunday. They had a great service with 132 in attendance. This is another church plant through Allison Park. Congratulations to Pastor Greg & Francie Krowitz!

Tarentum Church goes another Round in Gym
By Michael Aubele
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Monday, March 17, 2008

Clara Manca walked away from Sunday's service at Tarentum's newest church feeling spiritually satisfied.

"I'm leaving with a smile on my face," the Lower Burrell resident said.

Manca and her two children, Harlee, 15, and Julius, 11, worshipped Sunday at BridgePoint Church, which marked its grand opening inside the James 5:16 Center along West Seventh Avenue.

BridgePoint is under the umbrella of Allison Park Church on Duncan Road in Hampton. BridgePoint Pastor Greg Krowitz said his church is the seventh one that Allison Park Church, an Assembly of God denomination, has begun in the Pittsburgh area.

BridgePoint bills itself as a church that "connects real people to the real God," Krowitz said. He said the church grew out of a small Bible study organized about two years ago in a house along East 10th Avenue in Tarentum.

Krowitz said the Bible study grew from a handful of people to about 30.

The group was forced to find a new home when the house where it was meeting was sold. Krowitz said the group found a new location at the James 5:16 Center, a faith-based boxing gym, thanks to gym owner Jim Kobert.

"The building is available to them for as long as they want to use it," Kobert said.

The church distributed thousands of mailers and fliers before Sunday's opening. Over the past few months, the congregation met for several worship services similar to a business "soft opening."

BridgePoint will hold regular services at 10 a.m. Sundays.

Krowitz found it hard to contain his excitement.

"Are you as excited as I am to be here?" he asked the congregation. Members responded with cheers and applause.

Krowitz told the congregation that with the help of Jesus Christ, "The sky is the limit," in terms of what can be accomplished in life, especially in the face of difficult challenges.

He invited boxer Paul Pindroh, 26, of Valencia to share the story about Pindroh became a Christian.

Pindroh said he came to his faith about five years ago after visiting Allison Park Church. He said his life before that was centered on partying as much as he could.

"God changes lives," Pindroh said. "God transforms your life."

Ron Johnson with us Tuesday

2008-03-14T23:24:00.002-04:00

Ron Johnson will be with us this Tuesday (18'th) for our Catalyst meeting. It starts at 12 noon and goes to about 2pm. He is teaching on Leadership. Ron Pastored about 3000 until his resignation about a month ago. He's planted numerous churches here at home and many more over seas. He teaches eloquently on mentoring, apostolic leadership, and much more. he is a champion of useful changes in the AG, and longs for disciple-making effectiveness in our movement.

You are all welcome to join us if this is of interest for you. Lunch is on us. If you are coming, it would help with food prep to know about your coming- 24 hours in advance if possible.

Ron is also meeting with our future church planters Tuesday evening at 7. Pizza will be served as we fellowship. This meeting is open to any and all who are interested in Kingdom expansion through planting churches.

It's too quiet out there

2008-02-25T13:56:00.002-05:00

Okay, it's just too quiet out there. So here's my little contribution for the month.

We are celebrating 1 year anniversary of yet another attempt to reach people and bring them in. This has got to be the most odd idea ever, but it might also be among the most fruitful! It's called Cowboy Church, which we do monthly, and it is bearing fruit in terms of quite a few people being baptized and being trained as disciples.

Yesterday a reporter showed up, and logged this article in the York Daily Record, as well as video submitted to the AP. If you are interested, check it here: (http://www.inyork.com/local/ci_8354969)

It's amazing what (and who) God will use.

Gerry Stoltzfoos

FutureAG Website

2008-02-07T20:03:00.000-05:00

When energy goes from constructive to deconstructive, it is time to step back. I commend the originators of the FutureAG website for having the courage to unplug the site for a while. Because of this move they are taking, I believe that there will be a future for FutureAG when we find ourselves at another pivotal crossroad.

Here is the statement they made on why they are making the change.

Risk Youth Convention

2008-02-07T19:58:00.000-05:00

Here is the latest promo for Youth Convention by Nick Palomo.
Nick is the graphic designer that set up this C3 Blog for us.

Sound System Theory

2008-02-02T12:05:00.000-05:00

Here's an alternate theory for those pastors who think their sound system hates them and/or is demonized.:)

Teaching People How to Handle Money

2008-01-21T16:55:00.000-05:00

Our congregation is still teaching Crown Financial material, but others are using Dave Ramsey's stuff.

Here's a great article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about one of our Catalyst leaders, Bill Ellis, and his congregation's classes on financial management.

Has anyone used both Crown and Ramsey? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Church Governance

2008-01-21T15:31:00.000-05:00

I have to admit that I do not get all that inspired about thinking in terms of church governance. But I have learned the hard way that if you don't pay attention to the values of healthy church function, you often reap a whirlwind of unnecessary conflict.

My church is in the process of evaluating our By-Laws. But even more than that, we are looking at the values behind the document.

Recently, I wrote a paper for my Board and my Catalyst Group about Church Family Governance. Here is the link to my personal blog were you can find the document.

The over-riding theme of the approach, and what I am trying to teach my church is this: WE SEEK RELATIONAL SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS AND NOT POLITICAL ONES.

I would love your feedback.

"Bar Chaplains Will Offer Hope"

2008-01-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

This item was published last Friday by the AG-News service.

An excerpt: Pastor Chuck Kish is looking forward to the day when members of his church will be bar regulars. Beginning February 1, chaplains commissioned by Bethel Assembly in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, will minister to patrons at a local bar.

What do you think? You can be anonymous if you wish, but you must be kind.

Yeah, Right

2008-01-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

Many of you have probably heard on the news that Omar Osama bin Laden, son of Osama bin Laden, wants to begin a campaign for peace.

Yeah, right. We, in the Penn-Del District, know that this is just Doug Sayers, our District Youth Director, in dreadlocks and up to one of his elaborate practical jokes.

You don't fool me, Doug!

Jerusalem, The Website

2008-01-08T16:26:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen this yet, it's truly incredible. It's a comprehensive, Jewish website for Jerusalem, in all of its historic glory.

The evangelical vote

2008-01-04T10:49:00.000-05:00

Once again, the evangelical vote seems to have won the day.

I have been voting since the late 70's. In that time (especially since the Clinton years) it seems like every election reporting cadre is surprised by the groundswell of the 'evangelical vote'. Rush Limbaugh said last night that the spectre of these passionate voters makes the politicos very nervous. He said they are no longer able to sniff about us being 'one issue voters', but need to start taking us seriously.

There is something interesting going on here. Something is happening in America. Yes, 'evil men and seducers are waxing worse' in certain circles, and there is much to be done to be redemptive in this society. May God help us reach the 6-8 million people in Penn-Del who do not attend church currently.

But one of my weaknesses in the past, has been to not celebrate the good things enough. As a goal driven, type-A person, I charge from goal to goal, not taking enough time to thank God for what he has done (usually in spite of me) already. I'd like to repent by taking time today to celebrate that the 'evangelical vote' in Iowa flexed it's conscience yesterday and caused the nation to notice for about 30 seconds.

No wonder church shootings are on the rise! (ever Google 'church shootings'? It will make you want a gun permit) The devil better stop these people one way or another, or this nation has potential to actually become affected (infected?) by them!

Fasting + Prayer

2008-01-02T10:46:00.000-05:00

We have a tradition at APC that I am sure many of you share. We begin our year in January with a week of Prayer and Fasting. For us, the fast begins on a Sunday after lunch and continues through until a Friday night.

During the week of prayer we do several things to engage people:

Daily Noon Prayer Gatherings.
Evening Services with a guest speaker. In the past, we would follow our week of prayer with a week of spiritual emphasis services. But we have changed that now. The evening meetings give people something to focus on as they fast and pray.
I provide a Prayer Guide for people to use during the week.
We pass out Bill Bright's 7 STEPS TO FASTING booklet to help equip people as to how to fast properly.
Since my staff is out every night of that week, I give them the mornings off and ask them to suspend their normal activities as much as is possible.
Currently, we have a Prayer Chapel that we try to man with 24/7 Prayer all year round. But we started this plan by filling a week with 24/7 Prayer. So people sign up to fill a one-hour time slot. We pass the baton in prayer from person to person throughout the week.
We conclude the week on a Friday night with a CELEBRATION and COMMISSIONING service. So we pray over our leaders. Then we break the fast together with some soup and bread which the church provides for free.

We have seen so much fruit from this practice. I am curious to learn what you might do during your week of prayer? I am always looking for fresh ideas for the future.

State College New Year's Eve Sunday Community Service 2007

2007-12-30T20:17:00.000-05:00

The Sunday after Christmas is often a real downer for many congregations. Lots of people are out of town. This is especially true in a college town. Three years ago, we chose to turn a downer Sunday into a highlight Sunday as we joined with other congregations to have an inspirational challenge given to the "Church of the City" going into the New Year.

For over ten years, various evangelical congregations in State College have participated to a greater or lesser degree in joint Sunday morning worship services, as we wish to please the Lord, who so clearly shared His desire in John 17 (I can't figure out how you can call Jesus, "Lord," and blatantly ignore His deepest wishes for visible Christian unity). We've probably done at least 8 of these now at different times of the year, with participation from 5-15 congregations per service. This morning's service included 9 congregations (with several pastors of those on vacation).

This morning was, again, so very inspiring. With two packed services, Pastors Jurod, McKenzie and Nold challenged the folks to corporately pledge 1000 days of fasting and prayer in January 2008. The people responded, with every day in January being covered with dozens of folks committed that day to fasting and praying for revival.

If you are a pastor in another community and are interested in doing a joint Sunday morning service, please feel free to email me at pgrabill@aol.com or call me at 814-238-3800 with any questions you might have.

Penn-Del Stories of the Year

2007-12-21T13:14:00.000-05:00

This may be difficult, but I'm going to attempt it nonetheless.

The question is: What are the top Penn-Del stories of the year?

Here's my nomination: Gerry Stoltzfoos appears nationally on the ABC News show, Nightline, to allow scientists to substantiate that speaking in tongues is more than gibberish--that something special in the frontal lobe is going on...

Any other nominations?

Pentecostalism and the Poor

2007-12-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

If you haven't already been there and done that, you may want to visit the FutureAG blog and be part of the discussion surrounding Jeff Leake's post about my own blog post (it's like chasing a rabbit in cyberspace:)). It's a very important subject, I believe.

On the Lighter Side

2007-12-15T18:24:00.000-05:00

Okay, I couldn't wait for April 1.

Here is a site that allows you to make your own church sign. You can then cut-and-paste it to send to anyone.

Enjoy! Be creative! Be nice!

Leadership Library

2007-12-15T11:34:00.001-05:00

I recently read Andy Stanely's new book, Making Vision Stick. It will take you roughly 30 minutes to read but a lifetime to master.

The basic premise of the albeit brief book is that leadership is responsible to clearly communicate the vision of the organization with "stickiness." "Stickiness" is what I call the "Got It" factor. It's as if the proverbial light bulb goes off in their mind and they begin to understand what our church is all about.

Of course, there is a tendency over time to lose the adhesiveness of your vision. That is why we as leaders need to constantly be casting vision.

This is accomplished in 5 steps:

1) State the vision simply.

2) Cast the vision convincingly.

3) Repeat the vision regularly.

4) Celebrate the vision systematically.

5) Embrace the vision personally.

The vision of your church is sacred. It's what God has uniquely called and gifted you to accomplish in your part of the Kingdom. If you can't summarize your vision in one sentence perhaps you need to spend some time in prayer and ask God for clarity. Stanley says, "If your vision is unclear to you it will never be clear to the people in your organization."

I can't think of a better time of year to pray and seek God for His vision for your church. Then begin to plan out systematically through your all-church ministry calendar and preaching calendar different teaching points and ministry events that will make your vision stick.

Can God Speak Through ESPN?

2007-12-13T21:15:00.000-05:00

Throughout the years I’ve been enamored by the similarities I’ve seen between coaching a football team and pastoring a church. I don’t know how many times, while watching an NFL Films documentary of some historic gridiron battle, that the coach’s passion, instruction or frustration matched perfectly with what I had at some time experienced in ministry.

Now I’m not a jock or a sport’s junkie or anything along those lines. In fact, the closest I’ve ever come to the chalk-marks was when my sons were younger and we became part of the fantasy football phenomena. I say “we,” but it soon became “I.” Like many of you, I don’t do anything in a small way, so I soon found myself studying the lineups, depth charts and injury reports so as to gain an advantage in the weekend match-ups. Through a brief vision the Lord revealed that this “little hobby” had innocently become a “little fox” that was stealing much from my spiritual life. (“Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is beneficial”). Before this correction, I seemed to be able to harness the conviction of the Spirit as I stood in worship on a Sunday evening; hands lifted and mouth moving, while at the same time wondering how many points my running-back and tight-end were racking up in the late starts that day. Since then, with fantasy football forsaken, it’s been all things in moderation.

This past Tuesday, however, I was once again challenged by a parallel between the coaching and pastoral worlds, and I believe God had something to say to me though ESPN. Perhaps you saw the news conference where Bobby Petrino, the head coach of the beleaguered Atlanta Falcons, resigned mid-season to accept a new position as coach at the University of Arkansas. Petrino, who was only in his first season in the pros, smiled gleefully at his press conference, noting that “it was a sad but glad day” as he severed himself from the Falcons to head back to the collegent world where he had experienced immense success the year before at lesser Louisville.

Petrino is now perceived to have “used” the Falcons as a stepping stone to a better position in the college ranks. Adding an NFL coaching job to his resume was in some critic’s minds a clever way to raise his stock as he waited for the right opening at a power-house football school. Arthur Blank, the Falcon’s owner, bemoaned the fact that “he felt betrayed” by Petrino’s resignation, seeing that the coach had apparently told him the day before that he would remain with the team.

The players were even more shocked and outspoken. Veteran tackle Grady Jackson, who was cut this season by Petrino, spurned, "It just shows his true color, like a coward with a yellow stripe down his back!" And again, "He probably didn't want the job anyway. He was probably waiting for a better job to come along, a college job. He wanted out of Louisville." Safety Lawyer Milloy added, "This league is for real men. I think he realized he didn't belong here. I feel like I've been sleeping with the enemy." When defensive-end Jamaal Anderson was asked about how Petrino would be remembered, he replied, “One word: Disloyal!”

But it was during cornerback Deangelo Hall’s phone interview with ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt that something stirred in my spirit. “…We were a little bit disappointed in the decision he made,” Hall said. “But when you see him out there celebrating and smiling and having fun, you tend to be a little angry. This was the guy who wanted us to buy into his system. I was one of the guys who was a little bit leery at first, and I guess I had right cause to be because he obviously had ulterior motives when he came. He came to the Atlanta Falcons as a stepping stool to get where he wanted to be, and that's, a better college job.”

As I listened to the comments of the “Falcon congregation” regarding the departure of their “lead pastor,” I realized that these are the same feelings and emotions that arise within the church when the shepherd “chooses” to move on to more pleasant pastures after having just convinced the congregation to “buy into their system.” I say “chooses” because, while I can’t discount the fact that God can and does move people in ministry, I am not convinced that every pastoral transition is in obedience to the Spirit’s voice. Sadly, Petrino is a parable of many of the leaders of our day. Hirelings and opportunists who move from church to church, bolstering their resume in pursuit of that illustrious ministry, yet willfully ignorant of the great hurt and disappointment they leave in their wake.

Petrino’s world was surely complicated by the negative press associated with the arrest, trial and conviction of quarterback Michael Vick, who was sentenced the day before the coach’s resignation to 23 months in prison on dog-fighting charges. But Petrino knew it was going to be a demanding position even before he inked-out his five-year, $24 million contract (OK – this is where the pastoral parallel breaks down). We must ask ourselves as spiritual leaders; “Are we going to quit simply because we are facing the challenges we were told to expect when we first answered the call to ministry?” Are we really to be surprised when the going gets tough or opposition rises against us? The Apostle Paul’s instruction to “beware of dogs” in Philippians 3:2 isn't a warning to mailmen (or quarterbacks). Instead it speaks of the spiritual dogfights which we can expect to encounter as the Kingdom of God advances against the darkness of this present age. This league really is for real men! Sadly, many leaders transition out mid-season in their ministry because results don’t come as quickly as expected. Like Petrino, who resigned after dropping his tenth game of the year, many pastors decide to “go back” to their comfort zone; back to the where all of the challenges are understood; back to the realm where they are guaranteed some measure of success.

At his responding press conference, owner Arthur Blank, looking like he’d been stabbed in the back, made reference to a sign on the wall posted by Petrino in the team meeting room soon after his hiring. The sign listed the traits the new coach demanded from his players. Blank made special reference to Petrino’s final characteristic - Finish! My friend, this word is not limited to the locker room but should be etched indelibly upon every leader’s heart. Speaking sarcastically, Blank added, "I don't think quitting after 13 games is equal to the word ‘Finish!”

Is it Monday yet? Da-Nuh-Nuh; Da-Nuh-Nuh!

Changing bulbs

2007-12-12T11:41:00.001-05:00

Changing Bulbs

It seemed like a radical idea. Last week we decided to transition all of the incandescent light bulbs in our home to the new earth-friendly CFL bulbs. I am not under the delusion that this will somehow "save the planet", but they last ten years and use 1/4 the power. I can live with that!

I was able to get a great deal on a whole bunch of them on Ebay. We changed every bulb in the house for under $35. I should recover those costs in a little over a year. After that, it's all gravy! I am more than willing to have others consider me environmentally responsible, but I must confess that my real motivation was capitalistic!

The question my kids and wife had was "will they be as bright as the old bulbs?" As I installed the first few new bulbs, I got a little nervous. They were definitely not as bright as the old ones. In fact, they were downright dim! Instead of being praised for such a responsible carbon-neutral decision, I would now be mocked for my foolhardy scheme. Oh the shame.

But alas, I soon noticed that the bulbs were brightening. In fact, they were clearly brighter than the old incandescents, and my fear turned to brimming pride. My daughter came out of the bathroom and said, "I can see myself in the mirror better than before!" Case closed.

You see, the new bulbs start out slow, but after less than a minute they warm up and outperform the old bulbs easily. We are now bathing in cheaper, stronger light, and we won't have to change bulbs for another decade!

Now for the metaphor.

We are in the midst of a huge shift in our culture, and in how the church functions and fulfills its mission in the world, especially here in America. There are many of our colleagues who fail to see how to make the necessary changes to transition their flocks. They are used to the yellow incandescent glow, and cannot imagine trying something new.

I must admit that initially the results of the changes we are making (Penn Del C3, attractional to missional, corporate to apostolic) look a little dim. My belief is that we are in the warming period. The full glow will not be seen for some years, but I am certain it will come if we stay on course. We must continue to change to stay on course. It's fluid.

I sense God's hand in it, and His pleasure as I let go of my tried and true formulae and grab a hold of His mighty coattails for a free ride into the light. I sense it when I share what God is doing and saying with a group of pastors. They either lean forward and their eyes light up, or they look away, fearing what the changes might mean for them and their church.

We were promised boldness when the spirit came upon us. Lord, deliver us from fear, and propel us with missionary zeal to embrace your change. These are radical days and they call for radical measures. I don't care to bask in the afterglow of dying embers when the Lord is starting a new fire. (sorry, I guess I switched metaphors there :))

Two Disciplines Of Preaching

2007-12-10T13:59:00.000-05:00

There are two things that I work very hard to get right as I prepare a message:

#1 -- Understand and interpret the Bible.

There is such power in God's Word. My style of preaching is not so much Expository (meaning...verse by verse through an entire book). My approach is what I would call Textual/Topical. I cluster several related passages together and make it a series.

But each message is an attempt to let the text speak. This past weekend, I tried to bring to life the meaning of Psalm 32 in our Unwrapped series.

#2 -- Understand and interpret people's lives.

Messages truly become transformational when the Word is directly applied into the context of a real life. So I think a lot about the audience I am speaking to that day. What are their needs? What natural objections will they have to this passage? How is this difficult to apply? What are the felt needs that people have come to church carrying?

The messages that I manage to do a good job of both seem to make an impact. When I miss on one or the other, the talk will feel a bit flat. The first of these disciplines is obvious and essential. No speaker can afford to mis-understand or misinterpret Scripture.

But the second is no less important to genuine ministry. Application in the context of life is critical to maximum ministry impact.

What about you? How do you make these two discplines work in your ministry?

Dr. Wood in State College

2007-12-08T13:09:00.000-05:00

He doesn't sing like Take 6 (to my knowledge), but Dr. George Wood will be our special guest the weekend of January 13 at State College Assembly of God.

Saturday evening, January 12, State College Assembly will be hosting a free dinner for any A/G credential holders who would wish to attend. The time is 6-8 pm. After dinner, there will be an opportunity for Q&A with our new General Superintendent. If you were able and wished to stay over for Sunday morning, of course you would be most welcome.

If you are able to attend, please RSVP (this is essential) no later than Friday, December 28 by emailing scassembly@aol.com.

We'll even give a free ticket to #26.:)

Take 6 in Pocono

2007-11-28T21:34:00.000-05:00

This year Pocono Community Church hosts its annual Christmas outreach concert with Grammy Award winning artists Take 6. The concert promises to be the best ever Pocono Christmas.

I've got 25 FREE TICKETS for the first 25 people that email me after reading the blog. Just send me your first and last name via email at dcrosby@poconocc.com and let me know how many tickets you need and I'll have them at the box office for you. The concert is this Saturday night at the historic Sherman Theatre in downtown Stroudsburg. The show starts at 7pm and the doors open at 6pm. Bring your unsaved friends and share Christ this Christmas through this unique outreach. Merry Christmas to my blogging friends : )

Gerry's Bike Story

2007-11-20T18:54:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I shared a stewardship message. As a part of the message, we showed a video testimony from Gerry Stolsfoos. What a great illustration of sowing and reaping!

Gerry was out at Allison Park for our Annual Roundtable in June. We filmed the testimony there and saved the story for the series on stewardship. Enjoy.

Guest Post by Dr. George O. Wood

2007-11-20T14:14:00.000-05:00

Recently, I was in contact with Dr. Wood, new General Superintendent for the U.S. Assemblies of God. In sharing about this blog, I invited him to submit a guest posting. What he shares below has been shared on another blog, but in case you haven't seen it, I think it will give you a wonderful window in Dr. Wood's heart and mind.

Let me also share that Dr. Wood is scheduled to speak at State College Assembly of God (use for directions) on January 13, 2008. The evening before he has made himself available to meet with any A/G credential holders who wish to come for an evening meal and a personal time of sharing.

The dinner will be provided free of charge by State College Assembly and will be held from 6-8 pm on Saturday, January 12 in our Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP by emailing scassembly@aol.com and simply saying who is coming and from where (for name tags). RSVP deadline is Friday, December 28.

He will be unable to interact with comments here, but I do hope you enjoy the following:

For my devotions this year, I’ve been slowly moving through Ezekiel with Donald Bloch’s terrific (and technical) commentary; and journaling a verse a day through the Gospel of Mark. My journaling is definitely not exegesis, but iso-gesis. I type in the verse and then “think (i.e., write) out loud” my thoughts onto the computer. At the end I write a brief prayer. I’ve found this daily absorption in the Scripture to be really invigorating.

For the last few weeks, I’ve been plowing through Mark 9 – a very long chapter. Now, I’m almost at the end and suddenly some things fell together as I awakened the other morning. Funny how you can cogitate and meditate on something for a long time and not see how the parts fit – and then all of a sudden, a flash of inspiration comes in a nanosecond and you see everything clearly.

So, here’s how I see where Mark 9 fits into a lot of discussion on the blog. Mark 9 is all about the disciples and their perception of themselves and their place in the kingdom. The chapter follows the disciples through 4 stages, and I suspect we’ve all been there or are in one of them now.

First, revelation. That’s the Transfiguration or Metamorphosis of Jesus. It’s the only time in his early life where his divine nature shown through his humanity. Moses and Elijah are there. Jesus face is shining like the sun and his clothes whiter than any Clorox could get them. What a great moment for the three: Peter, James, and John.

Revelation is the spot where we are overwhelmed in the presence of the majestic Christ. It’s something we Pentecostals covet – being caught up into spiritual revelation and experience beyond what the rational mind can fathom. It’s being lifted into the heavenlies and encountering God in such a way that language cannot hold the experience nor can the emotions be articulated.

Second, argument. When Jesus and the inner 3 come down from the mountain they find the remaining 9 locked in an argument with the teachers of the law. What’s the argument about? The 9 cannot cast the demon out of the boy. They cannot do this even though earlier Jesus had commissioned them to cast out demons and Mark reports that they had done so. But, now they command and nothing happens – so they’re left to argue with the critics.

It seems to me that this is one of the problems we are having now in the Pentecostal movement. When we don’t have power, we argue. The fullness of the Spirit has leaked all the way out. And, our arguments don’t solve the pressing needs of those who are looking to us. I fear a dried up Pentecostal theological scholasticism that has no power. Argument (except for a wholesome apologetic for the faith such as the Apostle Paul’s dialogical evangelism) never produces the fruit of the Spirit, much less the gifts.

But, since the disciples at the foot of the Mount of Transfiguration have no power, they can only fall back on defending themselves with argument. It’s not a pretty picture. Jesus chews them out for not praying, thereby connecting argument with prayerlessness, and authority with prayer.

Wait. It gets worse. Third. Arrogance. After getting chewed out by Jesus for their powerlessness, they then start arguing about who is the greatest. They are doing the very thing that breaks community. Whenever we pit ourselves against others, or take the attitude “I don’t need you” – aren’t we exhibiting the same arrogance? When I was a new district official I visited a pastor who had a large church in our district but never was involved in anything. I wanted to reach out to him and find out what we could do to establish relationship. His response to me was, “I went to Springfield once and the brethren had nothing to add to me.” I wished I had said, “Well, maybe you could have added something to Springfield.” I think that’s what the Antiochians would have done for Jerusalem.

And, let’s face it – “Springfield” can be just as prone to arrogance as “non-Springfield” because arrogance doesn’t have territorial limitations.

So, Jesus talks to his arrogant disciples about being a servant, and he sets a little child in their midst. I think he does that because he’s telling the disciples: “If you really want to be great, then put your arms around the next generation and serve them. Stop being so narcissistic. My way is not self-fulfillment but self-denial. My way is not independence, but interdependence.”

Fortunately, by the time we get to the book of Acts – the disciples have gotten over arrogance and become a model community. It took awhile for them to realize the world would know them by their love for one another, not how smart they were, how cutting edge (or dull) they were, or what their age and cultural preferences were.

Then, the fourth thing happens in Mark 9. From revelation to argument to arrogance to exclusivity.

The disciples, who couldn’t cast out the demon, tell other people who are casting out demons to stop. If it weren’t so serious, it would be funny. They think they’ve got the exclusive franchise on Jesus.We must avoid narrowness of heart and spirit. Jesus tells these disciples of his that they better not lead the “little ones” into sin for if they do, it would be better if a millstone were tied around their neck. What he’s really saying is that the fractiousness of the disciples is going to doom the novices in the kingdom, that exclusiveness is not only silliness but spiritually deadly.

So, in these recent weeks I’ve been drinking deeply from the well of Mark 9 and asking the Lord to help me stay fresh on the revelation side so that I’m inundated with His presence; and spared from the traps of being argumentative, arrogant, or exclusive.

During the charismatic renewal of the 70s (for those of us who were alive then!), we sang a beautiful and haunting chorus. I almost always led it at communion time: “Bind us together, Lord; bind us together . . . with cords that cannot be broken.” That binding is to Christ and to one another. In Mark 9, the disciples are seen at their nadir – but the Lord wasn’t finished with them. By the time he was done working on them – that argumentative, arrogant, and exclusive minded group had become a community (the body of Christ) that changed the world. They got bound together by the work of the Spirit.

And, incredibly, by the grace of the Lord, he’s doing the same thing with us! He works with all our limitations and sees that he can bring gold out of all our dross.

George O. Wood
General Superintendent

Salary Negotiations For The Hesitant

2007-11-18T19:34:00.000-05:00

Very few pastors I know have any formal training when it comes to negotiating a compensation package. I know I've made plenty of mistakes along the way in this area of ministry, but here are a few principles that might help you speak with your board prior to the year end.

1. Be candid with your board.

Surveys show that most pastors who ask for a raise usually get it. If you're like me, however, you'll never ask. Be candid and forthright with your board and let them know your financial needs. While there are some boards that are out there to "keep the pastor humble", it's been my experience that most are made up of Godly men who want to bless their pastor and provide for his/her needs. Don't assume they know what you need.

2. Educate your board.

Educate your board on how to set up compensation packages. Much like pastors, boards don't have a clue what to pay their pastor or how to set up a fair salary package. We use the National Association of Church Business Administration (NACBA) survey each year as a guide for compensation and benefits. This survey breaks down salary packages by church size, demographic, location, budget, denomination and much more. In addition, each year I have a friend who pastors a larger church write a letter to my board recommending a compensation package. The letter is incredibly personal and helpful to the board.

3. Finalize your annual budget early.

Your annual budget should be completed in late November or early December. Roughly 40 to 50 percent of your undesignated giving (general tithes and offerings) or 30 to 35 percent of your total giving should be allocated to staff salaries and benefits. Growing churches pay their pastors well and always staff for growth. (1 Tim. 5:17-18)

Missions 'Mistakes'

2007-11-17T19:05:00.000-05:00

Ralph Winter is certainly one of the top evangelical missiologists in America, so I was interested to recently read this article warning of 12 missions "mistakes." I wish the text were longer, because a few of them left me scratching my head. Maybe someone can elucidate me.

History of Religion in 90 Seconds

2007-11-17T19:03:00.000-05:00

I got this from evangelist Tim Enloe. It's the history of world religion in 90 seconds from a website that normally maps wars, of all places. It is oversimplified, of course, but nuancing would probably take, well, a little longer.