Churches of Anchorage

Making Transitions

2011-08-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

A number of years ago I preached a series of messages on following God. One of the quotes that came out of those messages, not original to me, was - “WOW, What a Ride!” In fact, we had a few tee shirts designed and sold. The front of the shirt read “Here I am Lord… send me.” The back of the tee shirt read “Wow, what a ride!”

Transitions are about taking a step or a series of steps that make up a journey as you move from one place to the next. Sometimes that journey can be quite a ride. Transitions can be fun, exciting, apprehensive, and fearful all at the same time. They can be forced upon you and even created in a crisis. One minute your predictable life seemed to be sailing along well and the next minute you find yourself choking because you are gulping sea water. You are desperately looking for anything you can hold on to that will keep you afloat. Transitions can frequently be fraught with “suddenlies.” There was no time to man the lifeboat or even buckle on a life jacket or even send out an SOS for help. The good news is that God knows your coordinates on the map and the rescue team has been dispatched. You will make it but you will get wet.

Don’t we all wish that transitions were smooth and announced ahead of time? Having a well-ramped transition piece in the doorway of another room with a different floor elevation is of great help. The poorly constructed sharp edged wood transition pieces are likely to catch your toe and send you careening into the next room in the most graceful fashion. Having a slow transition from one elevation to the next should be the goal of any good carpenter or leader. The point is that we do not want to stumble people we want them to experience as harmless and joy filled transitions as possible.

While I was observing New England paintings on a wall one day in a restaurant musing over why they were made the way they were, a pastor friend of mine stepped up and asked the obvious question… Do you know why they built those bridges like that? I responded with, “Because they look cool?” He laughed at my response. Then he explained that in the covered wagon days that many horse drawn wagons experienced total loss of property and even life as the teams were driven through the rushing waters to the other side. The river current would sweep them away, the horses would panic and lose their footing and the wagon contents and passengers were thrown out of the wagon as it tipped over and drifted down the river.

One day some inventive person decided to fall trees across the river and lay planks on top of the trees to make a wooden road over top the river. Which worked fine except that the horses could still hear and see the water under them and disasters continued to take place. Then came the invention of the eye blinders. The horses did not frighten nearly so much even though they could still hear and see the water by turning their heads.

Finally, someone built what looked like a barn. The idea was to make the horses feel like they were going home. They were safe because of a well-built infrastructure and an environment was created that brought peace. They could make what was a life threatening transition now safely without the fear of disaster.

One of the traits of a good leader is to learn how to build good bridges across what could be fearful and damaging river crossings. Those crossings may be likened to changing physical locations, job responsibilities, building construction projects, altering a long standing church traditions, etc.

In Swaziland, Africa there is a greeting using the word “Ya-bo” (sp). It simply means… I see you! God sees you right where you are and at whatever stage you are in making your transition. Trust in God' s foreknowledge. We see only in part. Until we see as God sees we have to lean on his ability to know what is coming in the days ahead.

For most of us, if we had a sneak preview of what was coming down the road ahead of us, we may not have embarked on the journey in the first place. Abraham and many people listed in Hebrews chapter eleven pleased God because they trusted Gods foreknowledge and the faith to press to lay hold of what could not be seen in the natural. Looking back at the journey, we are profoundly grateful for God’s faithfulness and love. What a privilege to be part of what He is doing.

1) Transitions should be always predicated upon God's purposes. The word purpose means something that is deliberately set forth. Please note that I said “God's” purposes and did not say our purposes. It is helpful to be reminded that He is Lord above all things. If He chooses to relocate someone from one side of the world to the other it is His prerogative, He is God! If God wants to take you across the river, it is for your benefit. Across the river is where we will find the most joy filled, satisfying, and safest place to be.

2) It is important to know that God has authored the transitions you are making. I know of many people through the years who have made many unnecessary transitions because they were bored with their current life and misread circumstances that justified making life changes. The real issue was not God transitioning them as much as they needed a way out of their situation.

3) Your, God directed, journey is likely not going to be quite like anyone else's, That must be okay in your own soul. It is quite possible that others will never understand you or the choices you have made out of a clear conviction in your own heart. You will likely be misunderstood. Jesus said that wisdom is justified of her children. In other words, the proof is in the pudding! I have heard it said that “there are twin deceivers, success and failure, God does not want us to focus on either one but to simply be obedient.” Obedience pleases God. Let God sort out the

obstacles. You have an assignment to carry out..

At the end of the day, we stand before God to give account for our own decisions and actions. Think about it... we are enjoying the blessings of those who were willing to walk their own walk all by themselves simply out of obedience to God! These are the kind of people who are history makers. People who left their own God appointed mark that did not look like anyone else's. Remember that God is the one who gives the dream and the ability to carry out the dream, its His idea, not yours! Good ideas are not always Gods ideas. Determining his idea is critical to success.

4) Finding your way. There are no shortcuts in determining the will of God outside of the Word of God and diligent and faithful prayer. It is my opinion that every matter of consequence needs to have a team of intercessors petitioning God for the protection and guidance that only He can provide. People that you trust to be spiritual and hear God's voice. Listen to what they are saying to you and measure it by the Scripture and into the whole of what you are asking God for.

Take good notes and look at those notes regularly. Keep record of the promptings you hear from God. Things like dreams, visions, Bible verses that stand out to you. Pay attention to the unusual things that may be “God tracks.” Those signs that point the path to where God has already gone before you. Listen to the wisdom of those seasoned veterans, spiritual mentors in your life who have had plenty of experience with their own journeys. Most of all, please pay attention to whether you have the peace of God in your own soul. The general rule of thumb is don't move if you don't have peace to move. His peace is a clear indicator of His presence going before you and with you. My encouragement is to not make changes without that unmistakable peace.

If in the course of your journey you find yourself off of the path. God is faithful to set you on the correct path. Ps.27 says that the Lord is our light and salvation. He promises to be our light. The problem is often found not in His failure to be a light but our choices in stepping out of the light, creating our own light, if you will. God promises not only to be your light to get you on the path again but He is also your salvation, your deliverer. Fear then has no place if we trust in what this scripture instructs us to do. My pastor used to say, "God underwrites what He writes!"

Transition Reminders:

· Timing is everything. He makes everything beautiful in its time

· Seek Godly counsel and follow protocol to authority in making your transition

· Be humble, gracious, filled with gratitude for where you have been

· Be present in the present – don’t run ahead of yourself

· Keep your anchored lowered until it is time to retrieve it and set sail. Wherever you go, make sure you drop your anchor securely.

· Be mindful of those you leave in your transition, do they feel abandoned?

· Are there any relationships that need healing?

· Be faithful to maintain relationships even after your transition

Ecc. 3:1 – For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven

Transitions are critical to fulfilling the purposes of God in your life. Now would be a good time to pray…. Here am I Lord, send me. Your response will likely be – Wow what a ride!

Appeal to the Tempted or Stumbling Leader

2011-05-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

It was a very chilly late Saturday evening when a muffled knock was heard on the front door of our family home. I left my sermon preparation study on the kitchen table and answered the door. There was a friend of mine standing with his head lowered. I could tell by his quivering voice that this was not a social call.

I invited him into the living room and he shared with me his story. He had been driving around all evening with the intention of involving himself in a disobedient act before God. He had driven the dark city streets for a long time when he finally decided to reach out instead of carrying out his plan to be disobedient. He drove to my home hoping for someone to rescue him.

For several hours we talked about his pain and what was compelling him to act in disobedience. We spent a good amount of time praying as God touched his heart. When he left much later that night, he had a change of mind and heart and he went home and did the right thing before God. That night a marriage and ministry were snatched from the hands of the evil one. He resisted the temptation to participate in morally self-destructive behavior.

I have had many opportunities to visit my friend over the years. I can say that the last I saw him he was living an overcoming life for Christ and he was successfully helping others find their way in making life altering decisions for the glory of God.

What I have observed is that often leaders can preach a redemptive message to those they may have influence with, but do not or cannot apply the same redemptive message to themselves. The message of reconciliation, restoration and redemption applies to leaders as much as to those who may be following the leader. In fact, if a leader cannot draw from their own redemption story they will be hard pressed to effectively bring hope to those who need that same redemptive message.

It is with my heart-felt love and care for leaders that I offer up this exhortation. The following scripture reference is often used by leaders when preaching to others. In this case, my prayer is the leader reading this will heed these words for the sake of their relationship with Christ and the testimony of Jesus. This instruction is given to the Angel (leader) of the Church of Ephesus.

Rev.2:1 –7 - To the angel of the church in Ephesus write; These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands; I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor; you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

1. Reality – Even though you have done many things right, you have been deceived! You have forsaken your first love! You have forsaken the place of great passion for intimacy with Jesus. Maybe it was all the “right ministry things” that led you astray. Maybe it was the tyranny of the urgent that caused a detour in your intimate relationship with Christ. It is hard to separate our priorities sometimes as 1. God 2. Family 3. Ministry. We assume that the God and ministry parts are one in the same, when in fact, they are very different. On the note of family, I should emphasize that your spouse should be the priority on family.

2. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Reflect where you were before your slow drift away. Remember how God was using you. Remember the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon you, the ways in which God was using you to advance His Kingdom. Observe that it is now only a memory and not reality. You may be running on yesterday’s ability when your soul and spirit were healthy.

3. Repent - The action of repentance is not just feeling the grief of what you have done and what the present condition of your spirit is. Repentance requires action. It begins with a decision to change your course heading. The next step is to turn your eyes away from what has captivated you and misled you. No one else can do this but you! Be careful to not turn your eyes toward someone or something else that brings the deception of satisfaction to your soul. After you have turned your eyes, continue to make a deliberate act to turn your heart to Jesus and no one or nothing else.

4. Return to the right course heading - Do the things the things you did at first. When your eyes and heart have turned it makes it much easier to turn your feet towards his open arms just for you. When your feet have turned; walk, run, and better yet, sprint towards his open loving arms eagerly waiting to embrace you. You will find his mercy and the essential grace in a fresh new way that enables you to walk daily in his power and ability.

As simple as it sounds… you have been separated from God in some way. Return to the simplicity of the cross. Falling in love is a process. Begin the journey home by facing the truth of where you are at and do the things you did in the beginning of your relationship with Christ. Make the decision to pick up the Word of God and read it, devour it, meditate on it. This is not intended study time for your next sermon. Allow the Word of God to possess you. Make the time to steal away to a private quiet place and listen for God’s voice and you pour out your heart to Him in truth. If you are struggling to see, engage another leader or a trusted counselor to help you sort through the confusion in your mind.

In doing this; it is likely that you will begin to see root issues that made you vulnerable to the temptation of the enemy in the first place. As God is faithful to allow you to see your brokenness, it is imperative that you not turn away from the pain. Remember that buried pain will remain alive until it is brought to death on the cross. God does want to heal you and restore you, but you must be willing to bring your fear, your broken heart, and your grief over failing to the only one who can restore your soul.

Your mis-steps, your errors, your bad choices do not identify who you are.

Rise up, you have been called by God to fulfill His purposes. God is not finished with you. He is the only redeemer. This applies to the leader as much as it does the follower. It’s time to move forward and put the past behind. The Apostle Paul knew all about this. His words in Philippians 3:13 - “this one thing I do, forgetting (to put out of mind) what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” The idea here is to desperately run for your life toward Christ and all that He has for you. Learn from your mistakes. Own your issues and deal with them so that they stumble you no longer.

Please do not run away or quit. Do not make the choice of becoming a leader who is “Missing In Action.” We need you! We need your knowledge and experience to help the rest of us stay away from the traps that capture so many. People around you need your proven and refined leadership to take them forward into God’s purposes for this season.

2 Cor.12:9 – My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

When Jesus paid it all, He bought it all!

2011-03-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

We are quickly approaching the glorious celebration of Easter. A great sense of expectation is in the air.

I have some great news to share with you regarding an opportunity for a larger part of the Body of Christ to come together in celebration of Good Friday. Church of Anchorage is hosting a citywide Good Friday service.

Good Friday Service

“When Jesus paid it all, He bought it all.”

7:00 - 8:30 PM

West High School Auditorium

More than a dozen churches (to date) have come together in planning this time of reflection and celebration of the Cross of Christ. We will be examining the enormity of the little word, “All.” The “All” encompasses the redemptive benefits of the cross for all people regardless of gender, ethnicity, culture, generation, or social status. It encompasses all of creation, all that is seen and unseen - it was ‘All’ created ‘by Him and for Him.’

Jesus is glorified when His Church comes together to seek His face and to declare His Majesty and Greatness over our city and state. Please join us in demonstrating the unity as believers that Jesus prayed for in Jn.17:21; “that they would be one even as we are one.”

You may do this in several ways:

Participate in the citywide choir for this service (info@churchofanchorage.com)
Help with prayer, greeter, and usher teams is needed (info@churchofanchorage.com)
Please help us spread the word about this service! We have promotional materials available for you to download HERE.

We look forward to extraordinary worship, reading of the scripture and prayer, all of which will remind us that when “Jesus paid it all, He bought it all.”

If you are interested in participating in this, or future citywide events, please contact us at: info@churchesofanchorage.com or 258-1165. We invite and welcome your help!

Celebrating the ‘All’-encompassing work Christ accomplished on the Cross,

Servant and Leadership Team of Church of Anchorage

Church of Anchorage Update

2011-03-08T18:13:00.000-08:00

In the original Articles of Incorporation, our organization is called: Church of Anchorage. We are currently working on changing our website and other print materials to reflect the decision to go ‘back to our roots.’ It was decided that ‘Church of Anchorage’ more accurately reflects our goal and desire to answer Jesus’ prayer in John 17…that we would be ONE.

God’s Provision for Church of Anchorage

We have felt for quite some time now that we were to be in a physical position to pray over our city. In December, 2010 we sent a letter to several property managers around town and requested free or reduced rent for office space with a view of the city. We had options within days. The first location was offered to Church of Anchorage (COA) on the spot. Before there was time to discuss this offer as a board, we received another phone call.

View of sunrise from COA offices

One of the companies approached was Wells Fargo. A few days after we sent our request, Wells Fargo called and said, “Come and pick up your keys.”

Through Wells Fargo, the Lord has blessed us with 1,200 square feet of office space free of charge for a year. We are in Suite 410 in the Wells Fargo Building on Northern Lights and C Streets with an east-facing view of the mountains and midtown. We also have permission to use the board room on the 5^th floor for larger gatherings and prayer times. This room has a wall of windows facing downtown Anchorage.

We are praising God for his faithful provision of more than we could ask, think or imagine!

It is our mission:

To unify, equip and encourage leaders to serve the people of our city through prayer, partnership, and provision. Here are some of the ways we have engaged toward that end over the past several months:

Prayer

52 Weeks of Prayer initiative began November, 2010
More than 80 prayer groups and ministries are committed to cover a week of dedicated prayer for the city of Anchorage

Praying over City of Anchorage

The First Quarter prayer meeting was held at the COA offices in the conference room overlooking the city

Representatives from those groups that prayed during the first quarter gathered and shared how they prayed during their week, as well as how the Lord directed them and what they felt the Lord was saying
It was a great evening of fellowship and prayer and those from the first quarter will be invited to future gatherings, as well

Partner

Praying at
Project Homeless Connect

We have had meetings with several area pastors and had opportunity to pray with them and help them walk through various issues
Children’s ministry leaders are coming together and discussing ways they can partner and encourage one another

VBS Partnership
Joint outreach events
Citywide children’s ministry worker events

Emergency Cold Weather Shelters are open 4 nights a week. The city has been very grateful and looking for ways to make the process of becoming an approved shelter easier

There are two more churches who are talking with their elder boards about the possibility of opening their facility

The success and favor with the Municipality was evidenced when they approached COA and asked if we would host a prayer station at Project Homeless Connect in January. It was a great success and we will participate in future events, as well

The Next Project Homeless Connect will be in July

Provision

Praying at the COA Luncheon

Our most recent quarterly luncheon was a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, prayer and strengthening of relationship. Please join us in the future and be blessed.
We have met with several of our city’s statesmen and they have agreed to hold meetings twice a month that will be open to any Christian leaders in our city (by appointment). These small gatherings will provide opportunity for current and up and coming leaders to ask questions of those who have gone before
We are planning a leaders’ retreat - more information will be available soon
Our website, blogs and facebook page are generating a great deal of traffic (hundreds of views each day) and are being utilized by more people more frequently
Citywide Good Friday service will be held on Friday, April 22 at 7PM at the West High Auditorium
COA is collaborating with Victory Bible Camp to organize a State-Wide Pastors’ Retreat in late October.

We are all aware of a clear sense of God’s sovereign movement in our city. He is touching ministries and opening doors for more collaborative efforts all the time. We want to continually encourage you, if you are not already connected, to reach out to other churches and ministries for fellowship, partnership and support. We are happy to assist in whatever way we are able.

Church of Anchorage office number: 258-1165

Undivided Heart

2011-02-02T16:24:00.000-08:00

Psalm 86:10-11 - For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness;  give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. “For you are great and do marvelous deeds. You alone are God.”

That is an incredibly powerful statement: “You alone are God.” Think about that. As it has been said, “There is a God, and you are not He.”

“You alone are God. Teach me…” (because You alone are God) “teach me your way, O Lord that I may rely on your faithfulness and give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.” When we learn His ways, we rely all the more on His faithfulness because HE IS GOD!

For some time, I’ve been experiencing a growing desire in my heart – a shift in the way in which I fellowship with Him. In moments of transparency, I am able to recognize and confess that I have spent years, probably most of my Christian journey, being as obedient as I know how to be and doing what the Scriptures teach. Being obedient to the Word is obviously the right thing to do. However, I’ve become aware that in some respects I have learned how to be a good Pharisee. I have kept the Law or the customs of our Christian community, but I long for intimacy at a deeper level in my fellowship with God. This realization has been an eye opener for me.

I’m mindful of the scripture written in Psalm 103:7 - “The Lord showed his ways unto Moses and His acts to the children of Israel.”

For too long, I have sought more for the acts than I have the ways of God. Both the acts and ways of God are needed in a healthy Christian life. When we know His ways, we understand His acts.

I believe that we are living in a critical time that requires leaders to understand the ways of God.

I do not think that God is withholding things from us as much as He is holding things for us. He is wise and very careful about whom He shares “His ways” with. He looks for the man or woman, as he always has, whose heart is set on Him and then he tests and proves them. He is searching the hearts of men for integrity, men who have undivided hearts. The end result of spending time your heart set on him? You will be one “that fear (s) His name.”

We cannot be in the presence of God without experiencing the fear of God. Being in awe of His majesty, His authority and power to do whatever He wills.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus makes similar statements regarding His relationship with his Father. He says, ‘I only do that which I see my Father do.’ Or ‘I only speak those things that I hear spoken to me.’ God is looking for leaders who lead that kind of relationship and life; People who find life in the ways of God. A cry from our hearts and a God pleasing pursuit for all of us would be: ‘I want to know your ways… teach me your ways that I may know you. And give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. For you alone are God!”

We live with divided hearts most of the time. The struggle for all of us is being in a place where God has firm ownership of everything we are and everything we possess.

More than ever, I desire to live life like that of a servant of God, and more importantly, like a child of God. I’m begging God, “show me what it means to know your ways. I don’t want to know only what you do, I really want to know why you think what you think and say what you say. I want to be the child who follows you around and observes and imitates everything you do and say.”

I have a video that occasionally plays in my mind as I meditate on knowing God. Imagine a sealed throne room in heaven with walls, lined with windows, and in that throne room the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are present…. talking, planning, discussing. Imagine being able to somehow get hold of that windowsill and pull yourself up, and watch…and press your ear against the glass to listen to the conversation. Much like what happened to Isaiah in chapter six. He overheard God’s heavenly conversation. His response was one of humility and brokenness as he recognized his shortcoming in the presence of The Holy God. Yet, in earnest, he made the statement… here am I… send me! God’s presence had revealed the real Isaiah and God’s power brought cleansing to his lips to speak His oracles. Isaiah’s heart was now undivided, priorities were sorted out and he was ready to be used for eternal purposes. The wonderful news is that we do not have to hold onto windowsills and strain to hear God. As children of God, we have been given total access to the throne of God where eternal things await our arrival so that we may implement them in our generation. The King’s scepter has been extended to you and me to be in His presence, to know His ways, and to participate in His acts.

No amount of time spent doing things in the Kingdom make up for the lack of time spent with the King!

Give me an undivided heart, that I may know your ways so that I may fear your name!

Amen.

I Have A Dream

2011-01-17T13:57:00.000-08:00

I had the privilege of being part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in Anchorage this past weekend. I have been involved for several years, and each time I am impacted more deeply – more appreciative of how one man’s dream continues to influence an entire nation. There were undoubtedly many who had dreams in Dr. King’s generation, and while many of those dreams were probably also realized, it is the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. that continues to ring through the annals of time.

Dr. King was motivated by the oppression of African Americans. What took place in the natural he addressed with spiritual passion. God-given dreams are often prophetic, visions of the future. They are filled with faith, the ability to see that which is not yet seen with natural eyes. Today we celebrate such a dream – a vision put into a man’s heart decades ago.

Dreams have shaped our country and made it what is today. It was a dream in the heart of a small band of Englishmen that launched from the shores of England in three wooden sailing ships. It was a dream that brave men and women saw that gave them courage to press onward in the founding of the early colonies of America.

History is filled with dreams. Those dreams are laden with hope, a bright expectation for tomorrow. God gives men and women dreams to fulfill his purposes. The dreams given to Jacob in Genesis still impact us today. Joseph’s dreams provided salvation for an entire people group.

The Book of Joel proclaims that “in the last days, old men will dream dreams and your young men will see visions.” (2:28) I suggest that God gives guidance through dreams and visions. If a dream is born of God, He will confirm it in many ways. Be careful not to devalue dreams or treat them with contempt because of past experience in hearing what was said to be a “God dream” that proved to be nothing more than man’s desire. God dreams will not only be confirmed by Him, they will be accompanied by peace and the unmistakable witness of the Holy Spirit.

What is the dream God has placed in your heart? What is that secret thought that has been held captive in your mind for years? Could it be that God is giving you a part in His plan for the days ahead? Pursuing your dream will demand great courage and obedience. God’s plan is to take ordinary people and do extraordinary things. I remember my first pastor saying: “Anything that God writes, He underwrites!” When God gives a dream, be assured that He will be faithful to bring it to completion. After all, it is His dream!

Telling the Christmas Story

2010-12-24T13:53:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the first time you heard the Christmas story?

Where were you?

Church?

At home in front of the fire?

Did you first hear the story told in song or a movie?

What about on Facebook?

Yes, really. Facebook. Our methods of communication are changing. God has always gifted His people to tell His story in new ways.

Enjoy these presentations - one is considered 'old,' the other brand new. The message is timeless.

May God bless you and yours this Christmas.

1950 - Peanuts

2010 - Facebook

Why Your Church Matters

2010-12-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

Special thanks to Jay Pullins, Lead Pastor at ChangePoint, for allowing us to re-post this blog.
Visit the ChangePoint Pastor's Blog

If your pastor, church, or ministry has a great blog - please let us know! info@churchesofanchorage.com

Enjoy!

Why Your Church Matters - Part 2

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

These were the first words astronaut Terry Virts heard when he woke up after his first night’s sleep in outer space. As the only first-timer on his space shuttle Endeavour crew, the first morning’s wake-up call was for him. “Give me Your Eyes” by Terry’s good friend, Brandon Heath, was the song his wife, Stacey, had picked out for NASA to play in Terry’s honor. The song had personal significance for Terry on several levels. In a couple of days, after docking with the International Space Station, his crew would install the International Space Station’s first window.

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity

It had become known as the “Cupola,” the space stations first “window on the world.” Until then, operation of the robotic arm, space walks, and observations of the earth below had to be monitored from the space station’s external cameras. Now, for the first time, astronauts on the station would be able to look down on the earth with their own eyes, something the whole Endeavour crew, as well as the International Space Station crew, were extremely excited about.

I’ve sometimes wondered how much our view of God, life, the world, other people, and the church are distorted by our culture, the busyness and worries of life, and the millions of other distractions we’re faced with every day- like viewing the world through a camera lens rather than with real eyes, as if we’re somehow removed from the reality of it. Paul said to the church in Corinth, “Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” What if we were able to see the world around us as God sees it? How would it look different?

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath
There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
To ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work
He’s buying time
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

I’ve heard it said that a vision statement should answer the question, “What breaks Your Heart?” If we could look around Alaska with God’s eyes, I have no doubt what we’d see would break our hearts. If we read the newspaper or watched television with God’s eyes, what we’d see would break our hearts. Let me ask you, when you hear the statistics about domestic violence in Alaska, about suicide, substance abuse, sexual assault, incest, homelessness…does it break your heart?

Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

I used to think that those statistics only applied in “remote” Alaska, not here in my city of Anchorage. But I know now that’s simply not true. The heartbreak and depression are all around us. Just ask God to let you drive the Seward Highway through town and see with His eyes. Just ask God to let you stand around in the lobby of our church on a Sunday and see with His eyes. If we could see what He sees, there would be plenty to break our hearts.

I’ve been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong

Why does your church matter? It matters because people- all of them- matter to God. And God has only created one institution to reach the people he sent his Son to die for with the Truth. We’re it. There is no Plan B. If we don’t see our neighbors with His eyes, no one else will. If we don’t care about the lost and hurting people in our city and state, and beyond, no one else will. If we don’t reject distractions, slow down, and take the time to share our salvation story with them, no one else will. Sure, there are other noble causes out there, but not one of them offers eternal salvation. We, the church, the body of Christ, the Pearl of Great Price, matter because we are the only hope of the world. If we are not heartbroken by the thought of life in Christ for every Alaskan and the world beyond not happening, who will be?

Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all alone
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity

God, please help us to see the people around us as you see them. Cause what breaks your heart to break ours. Fill our hearts with passion to share the salvation you’ve so freely given to us, that some might come to know your love and mercy as we do. Help us to remove distractions and remind us to slow down, look around at the people you’ve brought across our paths, and remember how desperately they need you, for your glory and our joy. Amen.

- Jay Pullins
Lead Pastor, ChangePoint

Simplexity

2010-11-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

By: Pastor Kent Redfearn, Muldoon Community Assembly
www.mcaonline.org

Leaders achieve results. After years of study, observation, and attempted leadership, I have discovered it really is that simple. Just get results.
The best quarterbacks win football games. The best coaches develop players and win games. Winning C.E.O’s assure that their companies are profitable. Championship fathers have families that love each other and love God. Ministry leaders get results too.
If all leadership matters are this simple, why are so many leaders ineffective, unsuccessful, and unprofitable?
Greatness is in the complexity within the simple. I couldn’t find a word for this idea, so I coined the phrase, simplexity. Take a deep breath. Was that a simple or complex activity? It was both. It was a simplexity. Throw a piece of paper into a nearby trashcan. Again, this is a simplexity.
Since the best leaders get results where is the complexity?
The complexity is in discovering the following:
• Which results?
• For which people?
• At what cost?
From my perspective there really are no equations, tricks, or gurus who can give us ten easy “how to steps.”
Each leader must determine what results they will require from their organization, assure that the results are for the selected people, at a cost the organization can sustain for the entirety of the organization’s life cycle.
Great leaders lead people and organizations to the right results, for the right people, at the right cost. It really is a simplexity.

Time

2010-11-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

By Richard Irwin

Time is a complex and nebulous thing. Time may be summed up in nanoseconds, moments, intervals, periods, hours or seasons. We can mark time, make time, borrow time, be on time, pass the time, find moments of time and even experience the fullness of time. Everyone possesses time in differing portions. It comes and goes with our having no control of its completion. God set time in place, He assigned the times and seasons for every man with the intention for us to continually move forward toward his eternal purposes. Our continuous challenge is what to do with our allotted 24 hours per day, seven days per week and fifty two weeks per year.

For the man or woman who has a fire burning deep in their soul for serving God’s purposes, time never goes fast enough in their journey of preparation. Yet that time is a designated portion that God utilizes for the tooling desperately needed to develop us for serving people. For the person who has lived their journey to the fullest, time seems to pick up speed in escaping from him, never to be re-captured.

Ps.78:70-72 tells of a young man’s early time of preparation to become the King of Israel. Though God’s purposes were established before time began, it was critical that David, son of Jesse, learn important skills while caring for the pregnant ewes of his father’s sheepfold. He was likely a long way from home where his family enjoyed dinner together and the common, dusty gathering areas where the sound of laughter was heard while his friends played in the evening.

David was alone in the distant fields. He probably had his penny whistle or harp and of course, his trusty rod and staff. The only human voice or laughter he would hear would be his own. The only other sounds were from the four-legged variety who were poor at carrying on conversations with him. I would imagine in the hot afternoons he asked those wool laden creatures a question or two and probably sang them songs from his heart that only they and God would ever hear. This time with God and sheep was critical because David’s soul was being shaped and prepared for a key participatory role in an event that the known world would be rocked by and would passed down through the ages so that we still read about today. David was being prepared for battle. This young, confident, bold shepherd boy would face a giant; a real giant who rendered an entire army nauseous when he belted out his loud bullish accusations and challenges. During those days of being alone, he learned about paying attention to how the sheep sounded. He knew the sound they would make when ill or disquieted by a nearby predator. And yes, he knew when they were just whining.

During those long hours spent sitting on rocks, drawing images in the dirt with a stick and staring at the landscape, he would also learn to hear God’s voice. The more he communed with God the more able he became in taking bold steps of faith. The kind of faith it would require to slay a lion and a bear with his bare hands. It would later be said of him that “he was a man after God’s own heart.” Does that mean that he possessed the same heart as God or that he was seeking to know God’s heart and His ways? As you read the Psalms that David authored you can clearly see that he was used to pouring out his heart to God. He did not hold back in speaking what he observed and thought. Dare we say that he understood something of what intimacy is? The one component that can produce intimacy is time; time together. There is no shortcut. Time is a requirement. We cannot have intimacy without time with God. I once read, that “no amount of time spent doing Kingdom activities makes up for the lack of time spent with the King.”

If Jesus needed to make an exit from the crowd just to be alone to commune with His Father in heaven, why do we not need to take time alone with our Heavenly Father as well? If Moses needed a Tent of Meeting, away from the rest of the Children of Israel, why don’t we need somewhere away from people so that we can have time with God? Why does the scripture say that when Moses and Joshua went into the Tent of Meeting that Moses left the tent but Joshua remained there? I can think of only one reason; time with God! Counsel would come from the presence of God that would give Joshua what he needed in his soul to lead a nation into their inheritance. God prepared him for ministry in those times spent together.

The issue is not about the location or dwelling. It is about making time to be with the Father so that we can be equipped for the things He is holding for us. It is about learning His ways so that we can imitate His actions and rehearse to others what He speaks to us. Jesus did only that which he saw his father do. In order for that to take place, one must be in close enough proximity to see and hear.

Time spent with the master makes the apprentice become a master himself. Time spent with Jesus fills ordinary fishermen’s hearts with faith to perform signs and wonders. Time spent with Jesus provides insight to write literature or songs that will draw people’s hearts to the author of life. It is the untold hours two men or women spend together rehearsing the same exercise of handing off of the baton in a relay race. That time determines the blessings and success of ministry transitions. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Eccl. 3:1

A couple of years ago, my father in law and I were taking his boat to our favorite fishing spot across the inlet from Anchorage. We looked at the horizon to make an evaluation of how rough the seas may be in crossing the inlet to our fishing spot.

My father in law made a matter of fact comment to me I will never forget while motoring around the port area that day. He said: “If something happens to me and I can’t drive…. you know the way home!” The reason I know how to navigate the tricky passageway in the river mouth and stay off the sand bars traveling across the tide flooding inlet is because we have spent years together making that same journey, time and time again.

Time gives us a place to bury our grief and past mistakes. Time gives us opportunity to heal so that we can do things differently in our next season. Time is necessary to cure the concrete that we build the foundation of our lives on. Time…. It is God’s gift to you.

Mentoring

2010-10-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

By: Kate Arnold
Executive Director, Youth for Christ, Alaska

Failure: no one likes it, everyone does it but growth grows out of it.
I’ve been around the leadership block long enough to know that I cannot do it alone. However, over the past year as I have been an active participant in the Murdock Charitable Trust’s “Mentoring Experience” I have come to understand that concept on a much deeper level.

For me, mentoring is a must. I believe that for me to be the leader that God has created me to be it is instrumental that I have mentors in my life so that I can lead and mentor others to see their God given potential.

One of the important lessons that I have learned in this process is that failure is normal. All great leaders fail greatly. Failure is never final it’s another opportunity to learn and grow. I have a whole constellation of mentors in my life who I meet with regularly. These are folks who listen carefully – who hear more than I say, they share their stories of successes and failures with me, they know my blind spots, and they ask me questions I need to answer. They affirm my calling, provide a holding space for gaining perspective and forgiveness, they let me climb out of my own hole, and give blessing not advice.

Most importantly they model Jesus, the ultimate mentor. I am challenged to look at how Jesus mentored. How did God set out to change the universe for eternity? How did Jesus form the next generation of disciples? Am I emulating Him just as the 1st century church did?

Am I seeking out those God chose? Jesus went out and chose the ones that were restless, the true and teachable ones. Historically, the Kingdom of God has been advanced by very ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Jesus’ power. Am I willing to look for people who want God to mess with their lives and to change the landscape of our community? Am I willing to copy Jesus by finding teachable servants who follow Jesus by seeing themselves and others change?
Do I ask good questions? Jesus gave the disciples choice over and over again. A simple choice was offered, “Come, follow Me.” Jesus was never afraid to ask His guys if they still wanted to follow. Am I willing to listen to the Spirit and continuously offer those I lead chances to choose Jesus in their lives and their ministry?

Do I lead by His example? Jesus clearly spelled out the cost to follow Him. Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow Me.” Am I clear about the costs of living the Jesus-life in front of unsympathetic friends, family, and those I lead? Am I willing to lay down my agenda and follow His example?

Am I present? Jesus shared everything with His companions, the disciples. In turn, they watched Jesus and knew what He was like under all circumstances. Do I act like Jesus by spending time with those who serve under me, listening to them and loving them no matter what the outcome is?

Do I delegate effectively? Jesus gave His disciples different levels of responsibility. We know that there were 120 disciples at one time, then 70 and then Jesus chose from 12 men He called “Apostles.” Within the 12, there were the inner 3 (Peter, James and John) and finally the “disciple whom Jesus loved…John. Do I mimic Jesus in this regard? Do I bring others along with just as much as they can take at the time…listening to the Spirit speaking to me about each one?

Do I expect big things out of those I lead? Jesus sent them out to do big things. In Luke 10, Jesus gives special authority to 70 guys who had seen Jesus heal people and cast out demons. He gave them the Holy Spirit and His authority. Do I believe that the Spirit and Jesus’ authority still make God-things happen today? Do I model these very same things for others and help them develop this level of trust in Jesus?

Do I rejoice in the success of others? Jesus rejoiced in their success…just like it was His own. In John 17 you get a profound sense of how much Jesus loved those that followed Him. Jesus enjoyed seeing the Kingdom of God grow because of the disciples’ efforts. Jesus had no need to be the center of attention. Am I willing to lay down my reputation and give credit where credit is due? Do I have that same Spirit of love in me for the ones God gives me to mentor into a more mature faith?

Do I allow room for failure? Jesus’ one “bad hire” did not slow down God’s plan. Jesus did not hate Judas. In fact, He offered Judas many chances to turn away from his course of betrayal. Do I chase after those who turn away from Jesus and in the end still make their own choices?
Do I pray for those I lead? Jesus prayed for His followers. All four gospels including Isaiah and Hebrews tell us this. Am I following Jesus example in my own prayer life as I mentor others into a Christ-life and into the ministry that naturally flows out of it?

Am I willing to sacrifice my own rights on behalf of others? Jesus showed His love for His followers through sacrifice. John’s picture of Garden arrest of Jesus shows us Jesus’ protection of and self-sacrifice for His followers. Jesus displayed His power not His own safety but the safety of His followers. Do I follow Jesus’ lead and exercise His power for others and not myself?

If you feel like you have gotten to the end of this blog and have more questions than answers…it is good. Remember the best thing that we can do as leaders is take care of ourselves. Keep personal renewal a priority by intentionally spending time alone with God, keep yourself in perspective – don’t take yourself too serious (Romans 12:3), develop a personal vision, embrace a culture of forgiveness (great leaders fail 50% of the time), and develop accountability relationships through mentorships.

A Leader’s Influence

2010-10-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

by Timothy Davis
Pastor, Chapel by the Sea

I am a blog rookie. This is my first attempt to fling my thoughts into cyberspace in this format. I have been told not to be too clinical or preachy (tough for a guy who is a preacher). This is supposed to be a blog about leadership in the church. What follows may seem at first like a leaf blowing in the wind, but if you are patient with it, the flitting flora finally settles on the subject at hand.

Two amazing seasons of Anchorage West High conference football are in the books. Back-to-back conference titles, forever clenched in the gritty talons of the hungry Eagles, have been carried to the hallowed halls of Anchorage West High and deposited in the Eagles’ nest. Such success is to be celebrated. And so it has been and will be. But the Eagles revelry seems less about blustery gloating and more about thankful celebration. The feel of the locker room is less like a rollicking sports team sticking it to the competition and more about a solid family celebrating a great milestone. Each member’s contribution is noted with honor and thanksgiving. Their joy is a substantive thing.

In every game they soared on the uplifting thermals of yards gained and points scored, tackles made and victory won. And in each they encountered the demoralizing downdrafts of penalties and turnovers, dropped balls and missed opportunities. What has kept them in each game, what has allowed them to overcome each testy opponent? Some would say, “It’s their ‘wild, wild’ West defense. Quick, intimidating, crushing, swarming, they are hard to score on.” That is certainly true, but there is more. “Their quick-strike offense’s ability to beat teams deep through the air or with surprising ground bursts, that’s what wins them games.” This is true as well, but not the whole story.

I have paced the sideline for every minute of every conference game for two seasons. I watched and listened to the players and the coaches navigate the surreal emotional peaks and valleys that is prep football. And what I have observed impresses me to the core. In each game the Eagles strive to function as a family. No one is allowed to process a disappointing play alone. No one is allowed to feel sorry for himself. No one is allowed to take all the blame when things go wrong. No one is allowed to take all the credit when things go right. One guy’s frustration is everyone’s business. One guy’s anger is everyone’s concern. When one is injured everyone rallies. They are a family that happens to play football. This is what buoys up the winning ways of the Anchorage West High School Eagles.

They are resolved to give their best for each other because they love and trust each other as brothers. Their composure is anchored in a confidence born of trust. In a game where the potential for disaster is always the next play love and trust for one another is not optional for success. That kind of relationship does not just happen. Where did it come from?

Family values begin with the leadership of the team and trickle down. From the head coach to the assistant coaches to the team captains to the entire team, family is the issue. On and off the field family is an issue. You mess up you get disciplined. You are hurting physically, you get medical attention. You are hurting emotionally, you get counseling. You are struggling academically you get tutored. You miss practice the whole team is annoyed. If you are a member of Eagle football you have an advocate who cares about you as a person not just as a player. And now to bring the flitting leaf to rest on the subject.

I am called/gifted by God to be a pastor/teacher and have been confirmed by my fellowship as an elder. Leadership is my life. Leadership is influence. I have to ask myself, am I as good a shepherd for my church as my son is a coach for his football team? (Yes, my son Timothy is the Anchorage West coach.) What trickles down from my leadership that permeates the entire body with life-giving affirmation, support, and connectedness? Does love and trust buoy up my family with the confidence to give their all in service with and service for their brothers and sisters in Christ?

To one degree or another my leadership, your leadership impacts those being lead. How does your “team” reflect your leadership? Think about it.

Humility - Part 4

2010-09-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I was teaching a leadership conference for church leaders outside of Bangkok, Thailand. The conference had not officially begun. People who had walked and rode commuter buses, a very long distance, were assembled in the auditorium and they were singing acappella. There was no appointed leader. Various attendees spontaneously led out in a song and everyone else joined in singing. When that leader was finished someone else would lift their voice in praise and everyone would follow. In traveling throughout 25 plus nations around the world I have observed this same amazing scenario. I always get a big lump in my throat as I listen to the expression of my dear heavenly family members worshipping the Ancient of Days. The sound was glorious that day and I wept as I imagined what heaven would be like when nations gather before the Throne of God to worship the Holy One who created all mankind.
What language will we sing and declare those songs of adoration in when we are finally home? Who knows, but one thing is certain, it will be more glorious than anything we could ever imagine.

Rev.7:9 – After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.

Jesus said, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. While we enjoy the multi faceted expressions of the gifts that He has placed in His Church, it is my conviction that more tolerating is done than cherishing and often more enduring than encouraging takes place.

On another leadership training opportunity, this time in Africa, I was listening to the African facilitator of the conference speak in his own language to the audience. I was the only person there, that I am aware of, who did not understand the language. The facilitator stopped speaking in his native tongue and spoke in English while taking the opportunity to welcome and introduce me to the several hundred leaders gathered. I will never forget that moment or what was said that day. After he explained why I (Richard) had come to Africa, he had a sustained pause. Then he spoke with a sober, kind tone concerning me – “you can trust this man, my brothers, he does not possess an apartheid spirit.” A greater compliment could not have been given to me than those words. I thought to myself, how did he know that? We certainly did not know each other well. He knew because we can all sense when someone interacts with us who has a condescending or superior attitude.

Living in Africa taught me a lot about what it feels like to be the outsider. I did not know the language, manners and customs when we first arrived. My wife and I were taught the African culture by people who loved and nurtured us because they saw something of value. Making a place for someone fundamentally begins by valuing him or her in your heart. Like grace, it then is seen in the reflection of a person’s life.

I learned a lot about what an “Apartheid Spirit” was and how it impacted the inner workings of people groups. I asked some people the other day what words came to their mind when they heard the word apartheid? Here are some of their responses; superiority, elitism, lording, strife, division, anger, tension, mistreatment, and on and on.

The official definition for the word apartheid is a political system in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s that separated the different peoples living there and gave privileges to those of European origin. Apartheid is racial segregations, a policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination. The first part of this word addresses clearly the definition… “apart!”

The struggle of “apartness” is not new. It has been an issue of great import throughout the Bible. The greatest battles in the history of the world had to do with this word apartheid; the drive to be superior, to conquer or lord authority over others.

In recent decades the challenges in South Africa have brought the issue of apartheid into world awareness. Lets draw back from connecting the word apartheid and South Africa for a minute. Lets look at the possibility of this apartheid spirit in Anchorage, Alaska or in the State of Alaska. Is it possible that we may possess the apartheid spirit? How about the attitude of a larger congregation referring to a smaller congregation or vise versa? Is it possible to have an apartheid attitude when referring to a geographic location in our city or state? How about a specific people group who hold differing cultural values than yours? This attitude could radiate from the transplanted people of Alaska to indigenous Alaskans or for that matter one Alaskan tribe against another. The harboring of such attitudes weakens the very fabric of our great state, the place that God has assigned for us to live. An apartheid spirit does not belong in Alaska!

Having distinctives in Christian doctrine and methodology between church denominations or fellowships is not wrong, but the attitude that sometimes accompanies them can be. It is often contrary to the spirit of the heart and the display of unity that should be modeled in our city.

What is interesting is that we can all be blind to our own apartheid attitudes. In our city and state there is no place for arrogance, superiority or elitism. All these attitudes are contrary to Godly love, humility and meekness.

The Body of Christ in Alaska needs encouraging, collaborative, edifying attitudes that foster holy partnerships for the expansion of the Kingdom of God. This is what God says about these matters.

1 Cor.12: 12 – The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part by of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to he body, it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 And if the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, I don’t need you. And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you. 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. because I am not the eye I have no place. God puts the members in the body as it pleases Him. We are the ones who need to adjust our attitudes from apartness to partnership, from separatism to inclusion. There is one body, one faith one lord and father of all.

Lord, open our eyes to those things that may prevent the very prayer (John 17) and great commandment (Matthew 22:37) of Jesus from being fulfilled. Help us love one another as we love ourselves. By this attitude and action the citizens of Alaska would know that we belong to the redemptive God who reconciles and restores that which is broken. There can be no unity without humility. Humility holds no space for an apartheid spirit. After all, one day we will all (of many colors and customs) stand together and proclaim, with one voice, how great God is!

Humility - Part 3

2010-09-09T09:48:00.001-07:00

I have had the privilege to travel to 25 plus nations as part of my ministry experience. I am fascinated by cultures, manners and customs. One of the greatest challenges in the social interaction is in the understanding of the worldviews that are prevalent in any culture. I love sitting in airports just observing people coming and going, cherishing conversations with people that are very different from my cultural orientation.

Some years ago my wife and I had the privilege of serving as missionaries in Swaziland, Africa. My primary ministry focus was leadership training. Not long after settling into African life, I began meeting Christian leaders and attending as many events as possible. While visiting my first pastor’s conference, I experienced a delightful cultural learning opportunity.

I arrived at the plenary conference session late and seated myself in the back row by the door. I listened very carefully to the speaker. I was anxious to be an “incarnate missionary” though I did not know what that meant yet. I was endeavoring to learn the language to be more effective in my interactions with others. I was straining at getting the drift of the teaching being spoken in the SiSwati language. After a few minutes the speaker whispered to one of the other pastors on the front row. The man on the front row took his place on the platform and began interpreting into English what was said in SiSwati. It was then that I was introduced and warmly welcomed to the gathering by the speaker. I felt very honored being that I was the only non-African in the room. I felt very privileged to even be there. That day, I was in the midst of some of the kindest and most gracious people I had ever met.

During the lunch break I stood in line patiently waiting to eat my meal with the rest of the pastors gathered. There was an elderly, gentle, man standing in line in front of me who turned around to speak to me. He began the one sided conversation by informing me of how to address people with proper protocol in Swazi culture. I thought this interesting since I made no reference to wanting this instruction. I chose to listen intently because I really did want to learn the culture and hear the wisdom of this seasoned man.

He explained to me that if I had something of serious importance to say to another Swazi man that I needed to follow the following protocol. 1) Go to the persons home, make yourself comfortable and have conversation with them but do not say anything about what you came to discuss. I thought this odd since I am use to direct conversation, like any forward American. 2) Come back for another visit in a couple of weeks; repeating the same steps, still not bringing up the subject in conversation you came to talk about. 3) Come back again some weeks later and only then hint at what you wanted to talk about. Eventually you are able to address the original issues that prompted the initial discussion pursuit. Eventually I would be able to talk about what I wanted to talk about in the first place.

I remember thinking to myself…what a waste of time and energy, especially since I could have taken care of this on the first visit or even made a phone call. (Well, maybe not a phone call - the phones often were not in working order because of the high lightening activity. More than once I had to climb the telephone pole outside our home to fix my own phone.)

As this important instruction that came from my new friend, he then made a statement that I will never forget. “We Africans value people more than tasks.” I was momentarily stunned and certainly caught off guard by what he said. At the time I would have said that I too valued people more than tasks but have learned that is not always the case with many westerners including me. You see, that thoughtful, humble, pastor was instructing me, another fellow minister trying to find his way, in this new culture. This conversation would likely be one of the most valuable interactions I would ever have regarding building relationships.

Another lesson learned in Swazi culture was the personal introduction in meeting people. When a person met up with someone else along the roadside trail, bus depot, at a conference or anywhere else, they would shake hands. They used the left hand to grasp the other person’s hand while lightly holding their right elbow. The hand now holding the other person’s hand would remain clasped. Often there was little “personal space” between the two people.

Now, me being the redneck son of a logger, I struggled with this concept of men holding men’s hands while having conversation or for any other reason for that matter. (By the way, my neck color is more of a faded pink these days.) I have come a long way. I learned the reason for holding hands was that it communicated heartfelt engagement in conversations. When visiting with Africans the person I was speaking with rarely distracted me. They would not be looking ten other directions avoiding my eyes or simply not being present in their presence.

Though this manner of communication was once again very foreign and uncomfortable to me, the Swazi men used to thoroughly enjoy making me uncomfortable and squirm while holding hands with me. This was all about the communication of fondness and concern expressing itself differently than I was used to. I did finally become accustomed to this manner of communication and value it even today.

Not long ago our church elder team had a meeting where we ordered in a catered meal. It was going to be a long night of making eternal and not eternal kingdom decisions. I was standing in line at the food table, again with ministers, only this time I was in Alaska, USA. One of our elders walked in to join the feeding frenzy. He walked up to me while I was standing in the line. I reached out my hand to shake his. He then did something I was not used to…. He pulled me close and hugged me and then remained in the embrace for what seemed like a long time. I again wanted to draw back and then while I was pondering his unprecedented action by my friend I realized what this was about. You see my fellow elder, friend, motorcycle riding partner and minister of the Gospel, was in the middle of a battle with cancer. He was honestly not sure he would be here on this earth much longer. The typical male, “two pat” and slap on the back was not going to communicate what was in his heart. His action said to me that our relationship was more important than the agenda that night that we were so intently setting our focus and conversation on.

Since that encounter, I have come to refer to the “two pat” greeting. I make fun of it now and in fact, I find myself holding hands a lot longer in greetings and more importantly hugging instead - even if it makes the other person more uncomfortable. I now secretly enjoy making other men un-comfortable and squirm in their manliness.

The definition for humility is “possessing a modest or low view of one’s own importance.” Humility is bearing the mark of caring, it is about placing yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s about putting your preferences in the background and valuing people more than tasks. It’s about being concerned more for and about someone else than your agenda or list of tasks. It’s about honoring cultures; not just tolerating one another in our manners and customs but, more importantly, learning to value and even embracing one another. After all, did God not create us distinctly and wonderfully? Did Jesus not pray that we would be one as He and the Father are one? How is that possible without cherishing and embracing our distinct differences? Unity and community is God’s plan but it cannot be accomplished without humility - yours and mine.

There is no unity without humility!

Humility - Part 2

2010-08-26T09:51:00.001-07:00

My wife, Lindy, and I had been married for all of six months. I was serving as an Intern Pastor in a very small church on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska where we were living with the pastor and his family. We needed a place to live and as I have always held a love for the forest, I decided that the manly thing for an Alaskan husband to do was to build our first home with my own hands - 20x24 cabin built of logs and rough-cut lumber.

Being a young man of great faith I decided to not get a job when we moved to Kenai. I would be spiritual; pray a lot and build my dream home in the woods by faith. I had never built a house before and this one would be built with a framing square, hammer, chainsaw and axe. There was no electricity on the property, no generator, or running water. There was not even a road all the way to the building site. Everything was carried in on my shoulders.

Lindy and I would kneel beside the bed and pray earnestly for building supplies each and every morning. God would again and again show himself mighty and provide what we needed that day.

One of my shortcomings in those days (there was more than one) was that I was a very hard worker, independent, and proud of it! My hard work ethic was certainly connected to my identity and maybe, in all transparency, still is.

One day, my father and mother-in-law drove from Anchorage to Kenai for a surprise visit. It was a delight to be with them, they have always been great encouragers in our lives. I must confess, however, that I did have struggle emotionally on this visit. My father-in-law had just performed our wedding ceremony where I promised my soon to be wife, my father-in-law and everyone else on God’s green earth that I would love, cherish, and otherwise do a good job taking care of my new bride. At the time of this visit, it did not appear that I was doing such a good job. No job, no money, living with others, living by faith, etc.

On that hot Saturday afternoon, my father-in-law and I went for a walk on an old logging trail in the woods. I can picture this event like it was yesterday. The mid-day sun was beating down on us and the trail dust billowed into the air with every step we took. After talking about lots of things, he finally asked the dreaded question. “So… how is the project going?” I did my best to shine it on and convince him that we were doing wonderful. It was true that God was meeting our needs, but I think Lindy would have told him a more accurate story if she had been asked. (I was happy she was not present for this question.)

I once heard that if a man is drowning and going down for the last time, he should make it look like it was planned. I was doing my best to look like this drowning was planned. My father-in-law listened and grunted while pondering my response, but he did not say anything. As we continued to walk along he reached into his pocket and pulled out a fist full of rolled up currency. He then extended his hand toward me and said that he was giving me the money to help us out. I boldly insisted that we were fine and I did not need his gift. Remember, this conversation took place after prayer beside the bed in the morning where Lindy and I fervently begged God to send us provision.

My father-in-law kept insisting that I take the money and I kept stubbornly kept insisting that I did not need his money. By this time, both of us were red in the face and very agitated. Finally in a silent moment of great tension he asked, “Why won’t you take this money?” I was caught totally off guard and speechless for a moment. Then in one of my unusual moments of candor I said sheepishly….“I am proud I guess.” He was quiet for a moment and his face looked puzzled. Then he asked, “What have you got to be proud about?”

I gulped and then quickly reached out and practically attacked his hand to lay hold of this provision by God through my father-in-law.

Most of us can identify with this story. We have all, at one time or another, likely caught a glimpse of our own pride or self-reliance. I desperately needed my father-in-law’s help that day…in more ways than one. I almost missed God’s provision because of my pride. My father-in-law almost missed out in receiving God’s blessing because the scriptures teach that blessings multiply when generosity towards others is extended.

God has extended his merciful hand toward us through His son, Jesus Christ. Jesus humbled himself, to the point of death on a cross, for the eternal benefit of all mankind. Without the humility of Jesus there would be no gift of eternal life.

Without our act of humility and the crucifying of our selfish and self-reliant ways, God’s gift to all mankind will not be heralded. Jesus said that the testimony of him coming into this world to bring the wonderful message of redemption would be displayed by our love one toward another. (Jn 13:35) Real love is not self-centered or proud. Real love is seen though humble acts of kindness.

God’s plan has always been for us to experience life with one another. Our self-centered nature prohibits that. There is no place for competition or self-focused ministry if we are going to see the Kingdom of God expanded in our city, state or world. Maybe I am not the only one needing to be asked the question…”What do you have to be proud about?”

Humility - Part 1

2010-08-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

An incredible event was witnessed by a hunter on the shear rock face of a mountain in Alaska. My friend was glassing the mountain ridges for a trophy sheep when he saw something remarkable. There was one narrow ledge that was scored into the rock wall that extended across the face of the cliff. Two very mature rams stood on opposite sides of the cliff. Their horns were chipped and broomed from the years of butting heads with other rams. These champions were out of one another’s line of sight, so they had no idea that the other was approaching from the other side. The hunter watched as the two prize rams inched toward one another. Somewhere near the middle of the rock face trail they saw each other for the first time. They stopped and just stared at each other.

Rams are well known for their agility and they possess the ability to go up or down gracefully any rock face. However, this trail was different. There was no possible way to go up or down from the trail they were both stalled on. For some time the hunter watched these two animals stare at each other, not moving a muscle. To the hunter, the solution to this dilemma was simple…each one should slowly back up to where he originated and find another path to his destination. However, much to the surprise of the man staring through the binoculars, he watched both rams begin inching towards each other on that string thin rock trail. As they neared each other one ram made the determination to do what was contrary to his nature. Instead of once again fighting for his place on the narrow path which would have likely sent one or both animals to their death below, the mature ram laid his body down on that narrow ledge and after a pause, the other equally mature ram stepped on his sacrificial body to cross to the other side of the ledge and continue on his journey.

Maturity is marked by humility.

The city of Anchorage desperately needs humility to be modeled by the Christian community. There are innumerable needs screaming for attention in our city. Those needs could and would be met if believers could get their lives wrapped around a single word: humility.

We Alaskans are well known for our pioneer independent spirit. We take great pride in that. We make statements such as “we don’t care how it is done in the lower forty-eight.” Our independent, self-reliant attitude is often the exact opposite of humility. The Christian is called to not live life according to the attitude of the world but rather to be a transformed follower of Christ whose life radiated humility, to the point of death on a cross for the errors of all mankind.

We often pray for God’s nearness personally as well as for his visitation on our city, but we prohibit that from happening because we possess attitudes laced with ministry pride. Scripture clearly states that God resists the proud. That means that he stands opposed to the those with a prideful attitude.

We need true Christian unity in our city and state in order for us to become all that God has purposed. Real humility would be seen if every leader and saint were to lie down on the ledge to let another pass over his back to reach his destination. The church that Jesus prayed for in Jn.17 is a church that takes the option of not butting horns or wrangling about issues that have no eternal relevance. Agendas, goals, rights, and the desire for ‘credit’ for accomplishments must be laid down in order for the Kingdom to advance. The kind of humility Jesus is looking for doesn’t have our names on it!

There can be no unity without humility.

There is only one church in the city of Anchorage with many meeting places. We cannot obtain unity among the Christian community without humility! May we live as mature men and women who like Jesus are willing to lay down our life for another.