14
Apr
2009

I’m through with Christianity

In the last several weeks there have been several articles about America the post-christian nation. It could mean a lot of things and I wonder if this article doesn’t represent what those who say they have no religion are feeling. They are still believers but not wanting to be called “Christian” or identified with a denomination. Maybe they are like Geoff Surratt who posted this:

You see, I am one of the many Americans who would no longer describe themselves as a professing Christian. I cannot in good faith associate any more with what the label Christian has come to represent in America. Christianity is now a set of political views, a way to distinguish different groups of people (Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus), a movement to impose a certain view of morality on others regardless the condition of their hearts.

via Inner Revolution: I’m through with Christianity.

We must return to our foundations. We must be relevant and current but true to the foundational principles.

I’m not talking about doctrinal issues. I’m talking about equipping the saints and releasing them into the fullness of their calling.

We must stand for righteousness but it’s not enough to have an opinion on an issue we must steward God’s people. The church must be a place where God’s people can thrive and serve in the fullness of their calling not just come and listen to those who are paid to preach, teach, or sing.

Do you agree with Geoff?

Posted by Gary in Faith
10
Apr
2009

10 Keys for effective worship leaders (2)

The first key was Submission to the Leader today’s key is:

2. Living a lifestyle of prayer

In December of 2006 I posted The Prayer Life of a Worshiper so I won’t re-post those thoughts here please have a look at them.

The bottom line is we serve a God who is always communicating. In many ways, not just words, and we must learn to receive what He is saying. It’s critical that we hear and know His voice so well we can, and do, respond to it.

If we have a lifestyle of walking in constant communication, allowing God to speak and direct our steps, we are more able to lead His people on Sunday morning with confidence and humility.

I’m not talking about an hour or whatever each day, although if you practice this you may do that, I’m talking about a lifestyle of walking with Him.

Blessings,

Number three is here.

Posted by Gary in Worship
09
Apr
2009

10 Keys for effective worship leaders (1)

I like checklists.

Looking for lists can be a bad thing. People were always asking Jesus “what must we do?” looking for the list of things to check off so they would be “ok” with God.

However lists can provide an effective way to organize our thoughts and to audit our performance. Over the next 10 days we will look at some keys in no particular order. Practical and Spiritual items will be interspersed.

1. Submission to the leader

People ask all the time; “when is it ok to not submit to the leader in the service?”.

The answer is never. “but what if they’re not hearing the Holy Spirit?”

The leader, whether the Sr. Pastor or the delegated M.C., for the morning will be accountable to God for how they led. You are accountable for how you served and submitted. Chapters 11-14 of Romans talks about order in the church. God cares about order. Psalm 133 says where there is unity God commands a blessing.

This applies outside of the service as well. If the Sr. Pastor wants a particular song and you feel like it doesn’t fit with what “God told you” do what the Sr. Pastor asks (with a joyful heart). God will bless you for keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

I look forward to your comments and additions to the list.

Number Two is here.

Posted by Gary in Practical, Worship
08
Apr
2009

Update to Frontier School of the Bible

In this political environment with our freedoms attacked daily and politicians who go about implementing their agenda through tricks bypassing public debate and the will of the people. I assumed their was a dark purpose regarding the new legislation in Wyoming.

Mr Miles has asked that people not call or email the legislature rather to pray. His update is posted below. I appreciate Mr Miles taking the high road and I hope I have not damaged the cause.

Dear Christian Friends,

The following is an update on our situation with the State of Wyoming :

Yesterday, we sent an email to every member of the state legislature. Most of them are not aware of how the new state statutes have affected Frontier School of the Bible. Thus far, there has been a good response. The Economic Development Committee got involved and are very concerned about this situation. We are seeking to schedule a meeting at Frontier with the Department of Education, the Economic Development Committee, our local legislators, and the LaGrange City Council. Also, we asked for an extension to the April 15th deadline.
I spoke with Don Landis, who is the president of Jackson Hole Bible College , and learned that he was unaware of these new statutes. They affect this school as well.
Please pray that we can schedule this meeting and for a solution to this problem to come about in a non-confrontational way. I believe this can happen. For now, I think it is best if supportive individuals do not make calls or send emails to the State of Wyoming . I think it would be fine to do so if you have friends or contacts in the Wyoming state government.
There is no question that prayer is the best approach.

Thank you for your prayers and encouraging emails. I will continue to give updates.

Yours In Christ,
Nelson Miles

I sincerely apologize for my rash reaction.

Posted by Gary in Civics
07
Apr
2009

Does Wyoming really want to establish a state religion?

If the Wyoming state government were pressing this issue on a k-12 school it would be egregious enough however; This is a Post Secondary School which people can choose to attend or not based on how they want to be trained.

Below is a letter to constituents from Nelson Miles, President of Frontier School of the Bible

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you in regard to a situation facing Frontier School of the Bible – a situation that could shut down our school in the state of Wyoming .
In 2006, the legislature was seeking to deal with diploma mills. New legislation not only addressed this issue, but also included religious schools and took away religious exemptions, which protected us from state control. We were not aware of this and had no notification. The statute requires private post-secondary schools to become accredited or become licensed by the state. Last fall, the Department of Education did notify us that we were in violation of the law. I explained to them that we were unaware of the statute and thought we were under a religious exemption. Also, I explained the nature of our school and asked them to reconsider an exemption. They told me they would consider my request. Last Friday, I received a letter from the Wyoming Department of Education stating that our request was denied and we had until April 15 to start the process of accreditation or state licensing.
Bringing our school into compliance with the new state statute in regard to accreditation would create the following problems:

(1) It is very costly. As a faith-based institution, we do not have the financial resources to acquire and keep the accreditation.

(2) It would change the purpose and curriculum of the school.

(3) It would eliminate well-qualified instructors who do not have the higher degrees. We utilize experienced pastors and missionaries to train for those fields of ministry. Some have the higher degrees and some do not.
The other option is state licensing. This would involve having the State of Wyoming evaluate our Bible and ministry classes, instructors, and facilities to see if they want to grant us a license. Any changes to our curriculum would need to be approved by the Department of Education. Also, it appears that as a religious school we could not discriminate against religious beliefs and we would not be able to hold instructors or students to our doctrinal stand. This appears to be a clear violation of freedom of religion and one step away from state licensed churches. The implications of this situation could impact churches and Christian organizations all across our country.
We are asking Christians to fervently pray about this situation. We are praying that, if it is God’s will, legal action will not be needed. The Rutherford Institute and the ACLJ are looking at our situation.

Thank you for your prayers.
In Him,
Nelson Miles

President, Frontier School of the Bible

Mr Miles is only asking for prayer. We need to do more.  If you live in Wyoming call and write your state legislature and ask them why they want to establish a state religion.

All it takes for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing.

We must take a stand here.

Posted by Gary in Civics
04
Apr
2009

Abundantly Blessed

I truly love living in Colorado Springs.

The winters are usually mild and the summers are perfect. Not much for water sports but a small price to pay. The first day of spring was 15 days ago, last week was spring break, and we have had one storm after another. It is currently 30 degrees outside with sleet and a stiff wind. I hope my trees make it through.

As I sit here this morning looking out the windows drinking coffee. I am considering how blessed I am. God has allowed me to pursue what I love while partnering with the two best pastors I could have hoped for. My beautiful wife is flourishing in her job and I couldn’t be more proud of my two boys. They are smart, talented, and well mannered. It’s been such a blessing to have them play for worship with me.

Ephesians Chapters 1 & 2 talk of God’s great love for us and how He had planned from the very beginning to adopt us as sons,

Side Note:

Sons is not a statement of gender. First born sons are the inheritors and that is why the Bible calls us all sons.

give us an inheritance and in the age to come can point to us as an example of His grace and goodness. Just stop and consider this for a minute.

There are some things you just have to settle. The most important one is “God is a good God”. When you read something you don’t understand start with the premise “God is a good God”. When something happens either to you or someone else start with the premise “God is a good God”. When someone is taken from you understand God did not need someone else in His choir. He is good and has good things for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 and Jeremiah 29:11.

Enjoy your Saturday and spend the day remembering how much you are blessed, loved, and set apart for a great purpose.

Blessings,

Gary

Posted by Gary in Faith, Intimacy W/God, Personal
31
Mar
2009

Remembering All The Aspects Of Ministry

It’s been awhile since I’ve been in ministry to this degree and I’ve forgotten some of the things that go along with it.

Last weekend was great.

I had the privilege of spending a few hours on Saturday with faithful leaders from a church about an hour south of Colorado Springs. We talked about creating a culture of recognizing, calling out, equipping, and releasing the gifting of those entrusted to us into the body. Truly equipping the saints by investing in their lives naturally. Not a system or  a program. If the future of the church is in the hands of these faithful few I feel good about the future.

Then I was back in the church we’ve been serving for the past several weeks on Sunday morning. Teaching at 9:00 and then leading worship at 10:00. Another great core of faithful people.

My heart is to serve a church for a season until we raise up teams and leaders then go on to the next place. Hopefully maintaining relationships and continuing to walk with them. On Sunday I thought to myself “moving on will be much harder than I expected”.

I’m beginning to fall in love with these people.

There is no doubt about my calling and I will be obedient to it. However It will be much harder than expected. Leaving should be hard. It means there is meaningful relationship happening.

Then Monday.

After feeling encouraged and energized by the ministry over the weekend . Feeling like the experiences and education I’ve been blessed to receive can be valuable to the kingdom. I forgot how Monday can be.

I was tired and allowed myself to be irritated and angry with very small things. Thus the status on Twitter and Facebook; “has a bad attitude”. Thank you, by the way, for the encouragement. Doing life without you all would be horrible. Your such a blessing.

So today I’m doing what I should’ve done yesterday. Today I will find strength and refuge in the Lord. Recharge with the Word and get ready for another great weekend. Continuing preparation for Easter. The best weekend of the year for Christians, and not just because of the hot cross buns.

Please pray we will communicate clearly the price Jesus paid for us all and get out of His way at the same time. It’s always the challenge.

Bless you all. Don’t grow weary of doing good and remain steadfast in the love of the Lord.

Blogged with the Flock Browser
Posted by Gary in Faith, Intimacy W/God, Personal, Worship
24
Mar
2009

Writing

The content is finished!

There is still much to be done before I’m ready to print but today I finished writing the content and put the technical pages in place.

It was fun putting the technical pages in because it actually looks like a book and helps with the vision.

When it’s all done it will be roughly 50 pages and 4 chapters about spiritual leadership. I start by looking at the first century church and what they were able to accomplish with very few resources. Then taking a look at how Jesus trained leaders and attempting to answer the question, Why was the known world evangelized in the first century and only 2000 years later the church is regarded as out of touch and irrelevant.

The goal is to have it ready for print and download by the end of April. It will be available on the website to download for free.

Even though it’s a mini book it’s pretty exciting to see the thoughts I’ve been rolling around in my head begin to take shape.

I’ll keep you posted.

Blogged with the Flock Browser
Posted by Gary in Personal
20
Mar
2009

Excellence or Putting on a show

I have seen Lincoln live a few times he is the real deal. Some would say this is putting on a show. 

It may be in this context however I believe we should strive for excellence and be the best on earth at what we do.

 

would love your thoughts.

Posted by Gary in Just for fun, Worship

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