8 INSIGHTS WHEN YOU’RE IN A PIT WITH A LION…

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John served as pastor of a small struggling church that had recently experienced new growth through his leadership. That was five years ago and since then there were some of the elder Christians that did not like the ‘direction of the church.’ It really came down to the fact that they did not like the new contemporary worship service or that many new people they did not know were now attending the church. The elder Christians felt that their church had been invaded and taken over and it was the pastor’s fault. Fast forward two more years and Pastor John resigned because the elders had taken it upon themselves to eliminate the contemporary service and threatened to fire him too. Pastor John experienced two years of underemployment and financial difficulty. He found himself in a pit of life and felt under attack of one lion while supported by another lion. He went into this pit knowing that the Lord would help him and grow him for future opportunities to serve but the answers were a long time in coming. Pastor John wants to get out of the pit and recover his ministry and work but his time in the pit seems endless. He finally realized that Jesus may be preparing him for a new kind of ministry. How can you relate to his pit experience? Have you ever been in a pit of life? Did you discover any lions in the pit with you?

IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY

Mark Batterson based In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, a whole book on an obscure passage of the Bible in 2 Samuel 23:20-21 which is repeated in 1 Chronicles 11:22-23:

22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, mighty in deeds, struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion inside a pit on a snowy day. 23 He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature five cubits tall. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. NASU

Batterson’s premise is that Christians should be lion chasers because it is in the “pits” of life where God reveals new opportunities to us. The lion-pit experience of Benaiah became a signature event for him that led to a later opportunity to serve as the top general in King Solomon’s army. Obviously Batterson uses the literal even of Benaiah as a metaphor for Christians today to be bold as we seek great opportunities provided by God that are only found in the lion pits of life.

THE TWO LIONS OF THE BIBLE

Everybody falls into a pit of life at some time whether it’s due to finances, illness, moral failure, persecution, job loss, or some other life event. So, the pits of life may be significant in developing our character and deepening our faith. When you fall into a pit of life, you might wonder who or what you might meet in the pit. It is likely that you will not meet a literal lion. Continuing with Batterson’s metaphor we must understand that there are two different significant lions revealed in the Bible.

Revelation 5:5 identifies Jesus as the Lion of Judah:

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” NKJV

Of course there is the other lion…described in 1 Peter 5:8.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. NKJV

When you fall into a pit it is important to quickly identify which lion you will face—the Lion of Judah- Jesus or the adversary lion- Satan. It is likely that both of the lions are in the pit with you as Satan may be attacking or tempting you and Jesus may be encouraging and growing you to a new level.

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT BEING IN A PIT WITH A LION

1. Before facing the adversary lion, spend time in the pit with the Lion of Judah.
2. Learn all you can while in the pit of life.
3. If you find yourself in the same pit again, perhaps you failed to learn what God is trying to teach you.
4. Don’t try to shorten your time in the pit because you might shorten your own growth.
5. Be aware of discouragement and depression while in the pit.
6. Be on guard against sin, temptation, and prayerlessness while in the pit.
7. God sometimes uses a pit experience to re-task a servant (i.e. Moses’s burning bush experience and the Apostle Paul going to Jerusalem instead of church planting).
8. Intentionally seek time in the pit with the Lion of Judah.
9. Add more insights as a comment…

 

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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He has over 20 years experience as a  pastor, and is an author, certified professional coach and coach trainer, leadership specialist, and a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team.

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching | Leadership

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MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PASTORS WITHOUT A CHURCH

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I recently wrote an article titled PASTOR, WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? My article sparked the interest of Scot Barkley, a writer at “The Christian Index” which is the Georgia Baptist news journal. He wrote a feature article about former pastors struggling to get new employment. The premise of both is that with so many churches closing or declining to the point that they can no longer employ a full time pastor, the affected pastors and ministry staff personnel need to develop transferable skills for secular work. I also was a full-time pastor for over 20 years and continue to seek another position in which to serve. In the meantime I am doing training for leadership, sales, discipleship, and evangelism.

I have had the opportunity to speak with many pastors who have experienced a lengthy search for a new ministry and they have shared some thoughts that I have developed as “Misconceptions about Pastors without a Church.” Please add to the list but I reserve the right to include or exclude the comment. This post is an ongoing dynamic discussion.

1. Pastors without a church did something to deserve their “situation.”
2. Pastors without a church sinned and have been rejected by God.
3. Pastors without a church are spiritually and financially supported by their denomination.
4. The denomination provides assistance for a pastor to get another church.
5. Pastors are eligible for unemployment if they are terminated or leave their church.
6. Pastors who have written a book are independently wealthy and don’t need a job.
7. Pastors without a church can easily get employment in a secular job.
8. Pastors without a church are not effective preachers.
9. Pastors without a church do not experience depression or disappointment.
10. Pastors without a church can easily get involved in another church during their search.
11. Pastors without a church are poor leaders.
12. Pastors without a church are lazy losers.
13. Misconception 13: There is a shortage of pastors
14. Misconception 14: Churches prefer a seasoned pastor with great experience and wisdom
15. Pastors without a church………(you fill in the blank and I will write about it)…

Misconception 1: Pastors without a church did something to deserve their “situation.”

Pastors leave their church or are terminated from a church for a variety of reasons. I recently spoke to a pastor who led his church to start a second worship service that quickly outgrew the traditional one. The deacons fired the pastor after the church grew by about 40% in six months. They said he was reaching “the wrong kind of people.” He is still searching for a new place to serve. Pastors resign their church for many reasons:

• The church could no longer pay the pastor.
• The pastor needed to move closer to family experiencing health problems.
• The pastor felt led to start a new church in a different location.
• The pastor felt led to full time evangelism or some other ministry.
• The pastor felt the church was unresponsive to his leadership.
• The pastor felt the church refused to reach new people.
• Etc.

There are some pastors who are lazy or bullish about what they want, but generally I think they are rare. A few pastors may have “done something” that led to their termination, but more often there are justifiable reasons.

Misconception 2: Pastors without a church sinned and have been rejected by God

I am amazed at the judgmental attitude of Christians on committees searching for a pastor. First of all, how would a search team know that a pastor lost his position because he had sinned? Yes, there are some who commit crimes such as embezzlement, mismanagement of funds, over-stepping authority, or sexual abuse. These are indeed rare instances even though they have become stereotypes that are exaggerated by the media. It is disturbing that people sometimes assume that a pastor without a church must be in that situation because he may have sinned and has been rejected by God. Committees should not refuse to consider a pastor who is not currently serving just because he is not currently serving.

Misconception 3: Pastors without a church are spiritually and financially supported by their denomination

Some denominations provide some monetary support for pastors until they obtain a new position or are reassigned. Baptist pastors do not have that benefit. They are seemingly left to their own resources for financial support. There is little or no spiritual support for pastors who are without a church. If pastors who are serving a church often feel lonely, it is doubly true for the pastor who is without a ministry. Denominations sometimes project the impression that they care for pastors who are seeking a new position but it appears to be a thin façade. “I’m not feeling it.” is a common impression of jobless pastors.  A pastor of 20 years of service in a large denomination could not get a job for a significant time. He said that not one other pastor or denominational representative called him to offer encouragement or prayer. This is tragic!

Misconception 4: The denomination provides assistance for a pastor to get another church

Some denominations have a ministry resource department but they only provide résumé writing assistance, maintain résumés on file, and send them out to churches when requested. One pastor used the service provided by his denomination. In his profile he clearly said that he wanted to be contacted by churches in the metro-Atlanta area but the only churches that ever contacted him were over 100 miles outside the city. The ministry resource personnel are often under restrictions. If a pastor’s most recent church had an attendance of 100 then the ministry resource office cannot send his resume to larger churches. The denomination provides little or no assistance to most pastors in a job search.

Misconception 5: Pastors are eligible for unemployment if they are terminated or leave their church

Most unemployed pastors are not eligible for unemployment because most churches do not pay into the system. It is likely that religious institutions are exempted from this based on two stipulations: 1) there is an inference that churches and denominations financially support unemployed pastors until they are reassigned or obtain another church, and 2) many Christians have the attitude that “God will take care of unemployed pastors until they get another church.” That sounds good but pastors going through unemployment or under-employment need income to support their families just like everybody else.

Misconception 6: Pastors who have written a book are independently wealthy and don’t need a job

Since I am an author, I get this one a lot. In fact some in the church I served felt that it was justifiable to cut my pay since I was a published author. Having a published book is a great thing but unless it is a New York best seller, the pastor author is not going to make much money—perhaps enough to take his wife out to a nice supper or maybe to make a couple of car payments. Don’t make the assumption that all authors are rich.

Misconception 7: Pastors without a church can easily get employment in a secular job

It’s too bad that this is not true. Many pastors experienced their call from the Lord to preach as teenagers or young adults and before they firmly develop a secular career. Thus, many pastors went to Bible college and then to seminary for an advanced degree…in divinity. If they experience the situation under unemployment as a pastor they have minimum of secular business experience. Some pastors followed a different educational and career track such as a business administration or marketing degree. These pastors seeking secular employment fare better than those with only Bible college but they may also experience extended unemployment. One problem is that many prospective employers are concerned that a former pastor will soon return to the religious sector and is not worth the investment. Some are concerned that a former pastor will have difficulty getting along with others working in a secular job. If a pastor has an advanced degree, employers may believe he is overqualified and will not hire him.

Misconception 8: Pastors without a church are not effective preachers

This misconception is the arrogant thinking of pastors and others who have never been on the receiving end of a bully deacon chairman, elder board, apathetic congregation, or a congregation that refuses to be led. Looking from the other direction, it is a severe challenge to preach passionate messages week after week in a declining church. I have attended churches in which the pastor’s preaching ability was minimal but all the chairs were occupied.

Misconception 9: Pastors without a church do not experience depression or disappointment

For this misconception, the thinking goes that a pastor—man of God should never experience depression or discouragement. Tell that to Elijah the prophet after he saw God us him to defeat the prophets of Baal or even Jesus the Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Depression and discouragement are a part of being sifted. A servant of Jesus is always either about to be sifted, being sifted, or emerging from being sifted. The sifting is painful but there is a reward on the other side of the sifting.

Misconception 10: Pastors without a church can easily get involved in another church during their search

After serving as a pastor for over 20 years it is difficult to get involved in another church as a simple Christian attending Sunday School and worship. If a former pastor attends a small church, the pastor may feel threatened. Large or mega churches may not even recognize or show any appreciation for the service of a former pastor. In fact, some large or mega churches recruit people to serve in many roles but never ask a former pastor to do anything. They may not even know he is a former pastor. Church leaders are often suspicious of former pastors within the membership of their churches as they fear there is some king of agenda. It is difficult for a pastor without a church to fit in and serve.

Misconception 11: Pastors without a church are poor leaders

Pastors without a church may or may not be effective leaders. One may have little to do with the other. Some churches have DNA that is resistant to leadership. Note how many churches have split more than once. A deacon in one of the churches I served said, “Pastor, I was here before you came here and I’ll be here after you are gone.” That man was resistant to each of his pastor’s leadership.

Misconception 12: Pastors without a church are lazy losers

Pastors without a place to serve may sometimes feel like people think they are lazy losers. However, many in this situation experience high productivity and a closer relationship to the Lord. They often refocus and emerge as more energized and effective after another church hires them.

Misconception 13: There is a shortage of pastors 

Allen Calkins rightly offered this misconception in his comment. There are far more qualified pastors available than there are open positions of ministry. To keep up with population growth, 13,024 new churches are needed each year so perhaps there is room for some of the excess number of qualified people to serve in ministry.

Misconception 14: Churches prefer a seasoned pastor with great experience and wisdom

This is a common belief of many church members. However, as Allen Calkins suggested in his comment, many churches are searching for a youthful pastor to reach young families. The church world has turned upside down just like the secular world. Most pastors reach their highest productivity after they reach 50 years of age. The biblical model for a pastor was typically a seasoned church leader with significant depth in leadership and doctrine. Unfortunately, our modern society does not respect spiritual depth and wisdom as once was the case.

Misconception 15: Pastors without a church can receive the same fulfillment in secular jobs. 

Jennifer Jach Carson shares this common misconception as she and her husband experience an extended time of searching for a new place of Christian service. I can relate to this. If one has experienced a genuine call from the Lord to serve in vocational ministry, secular opportunities simply do not provide the same fulfillment. Those that would argue the point likely do not understand the meaning of “calling” or perhaps they are very content in their current role. I never thought I would be in a secular job since I was called, educated, and served in church ministry for over 20 years.

Misconception 16: Pastors without a church …are hard to sell or promote to a congregation as a desirable candidate.

As John Johnson stated in his comment, many churches searching for a pastor are seeking one with celebrity status and with glowing success. Based on these modern metrics of pastoral success, the Apostle Paul would have had a difficult time getting a church. My friend John has been through a couple of years of looking for a church to serve before he was called to his current ministry. Search teams want to talk to the “walk on water” ideal pastor candidate.

Misconception 17: Pastors without a church………(you fill in the blank and I will write about it)…

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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He has 20 years experience as a  pastor, and is an author, certified professional coach and coach trainer, leadership specialist, and a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching | Leadership

THAT ONE THING DISCIPLES OF JESUS MUST DO!

After over twenty years serving as a pastor of churches, my “tent-making” job is that of working as a leadership trainer and executive sales coach for a training company. The experience has been enlightening and challenging. In every class or coaching session I ask the client, “What do you want to do after the class or session that you not currently doing?” This is a great question for pastors preparing for preaching and teaching but it is also a question we need to ask of every Christian and church.

Consider the following passage:

Matthew 4:18-22

¹⁸Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁹Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰They immediately left their nets and followed Him. ²¹Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, ²²and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. NKJV

Jesus’ purpose was to “make them into ‘fishers of men.’” Note that Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” He did not say, “I will make you fish.” These were Jesus’ first words to those who would become not only disciples but apostles in the early church. Now let’s notice some of the final instructions to these same men:

Mt 28:18-20

¹⁸And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. NKJV

 

Of course this is the Great Commission and it summarizes the initial instructions Jesus gave these same men as to what it means to be “fishers of men.” It also answers that one question, “What do you want a person to do after he or she becomes a Christian that he or she is not currently doing?”

Note that Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” He did not say, “I will make you into a fish.”

 MAKE DISCIPLES!

 

“THERE YOU GO AGAIN!”

Yes, I get that comment often but here is the question: How many people claiming to be Christians in your church have never led even one person to receive Jesus Christ as Lord? Statistics suggest that about 60% of Christians have not shared their faith in the last six months. I think the number is higher, especially in plateaued or declining churches because discipleship is no longer in their cultures. Considering the number of churches that fit that description, there are a lot of Christians who are not “fishers of men.” To qualify as a disciple of Jesus Christ, one should be making disciples.

A Christian that has not produced another Christian in a decade is a paradox and contradiction!

A sales person that has not sold anything is not a sales person. A Christian that has not produced another Christian in a decade is a paradox and contradiction! Working with a sales staff introduced me to another concept: “quota.” All competitive sales teams have a quota which is the desired number of sales they expect to make. Most quotas are set by the leadership of a company and it is usually challenging since this year’s quota is often set higher than last year’s quota. I am not suggesting that church leaders should set any kind of quota for baptisms or disciple-making. However, it is clear from Jesus’ words to his first disciples that he expected them to “catch some fish,” a euphemism for “make some disciples.”

THAT ONE THING DISCIPLES DO

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There are stages of spiritual growth with the first stage being a new Christian. Of course, new Christians are not necessarily expected to make disciples but the Bible indicates that a person who has been a Christian for three or more years should be making disciples. Consider the stages of spiritual growth:

THE STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

• Non-Christian– a person who has never received Jesus Christ as Lord and experienced salvation.

Stage 1: Babe in Christ– (Novice)  a new Christian hungry and feeding on the “milk of the word” and often fed by others (be careful who is feeding them); regresses easily (1 Corinthians 3:2)

A spiritually immature Christian may not grow very much before he or she gets sidetracked, discouraged, or backslidden. We call these conditions:

• Carnal Christian– a spiritually regressed and stagnant Christian seeking little spiritual nutrition (1 Corinthians 3:1, 3) Language and behavior often reflects non-Christian attitudes and immorality whether he or she is regular in attending church; does great damage to the reputation of Christ and Christians.
• Casual Christian– a spiritually stagnant Christian content with life (Matthew 13:22) Language and behavior may or may not reflect non-Christian attitudes and immorality. Tends to exhibit little commitment and does not actively seek to make disciples.

Continual growth is reflected in the following descriptions:

Stage 2: Growing Christian– (Apprentice)- a growing Christian feeding on solid spiritual food learning to feed herself but still vulnerable to regression (Hebrews 5:12-14) Language, behavior, and habits are increasingly more Christ-like and less course and less worldly. This Christian is making occasional attempts at sharing Christ and making disciples.

Stage 3: Advancing Christian– (Journeyman)- a growing Christian feeding herself the “deep things of God,” consistently led by the Holy Spirit, and less susceptible to regression  (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) Language, behavior, and habits are not only Christ-like but his or her example is in contrast to the worldly culture. This person intentionally making efforts to share Christ and disciple those who receive Christ.

Stage 4: Maturing Christian– (Master)- a growing Christian feeding self, others, and “bearing fruit,” and unlikely to regress (John 15:8) Language, behavior, and habits are not only Christ-like but he or she constantly influence others to become growing disciple-makers. This person is an evangelist disciplist, as sharing Christ is 1^st nature and discipling new Christians into leaders is the fruit of this person’s life.

(Much of the above material was first published in my book Simple Discipleship: How to Make Disciples in the 21^st Century.)

So, what should the people in your church be doing that they probably are not doing now?

 

MAKE DISCIPLE-MAKING DISCIPLES!

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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He has 20 years experience as a  pastor, and is an author, certified professional coach and coach trainer, leadership specialist, and a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching | Leadership

ANYONE CAN BE A SERVANT OF GOD

Serve Christ!

The Simple Discipleship process includes four primary value dimensions based on the four color fields or quadrants surrounding the cross—Worship (red), Word (blue), Ministry (yellow), and Missions (green). The words summarize four broad dimensions of the Christian life and may also be stated—Know Christ, Grow in Christ, Serve Christ, and Share Christ. Much, if not all, of the Bible may be categorized using these four broad value-based dimensions. The following is a Simple Discipleship devotional.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “CALLED” BY GOD?

Many Christians make the assumption that God specially “calls” people only to  ministry such as preachers, pastors, evangelists, and missionaries. Perhaps we need to understand the biblical concept of “calling.” By “calling” we mean that God specifically leads people to serve in the world, the church, and/or his kingdom in a certain role. We might call this “purpose driven” or understanding your purpose in life. The outworking of this is that in the context of prayer, worship, Bible reading, and meditation within the relationship between the individual and God, the person feels impressed to serve God in a certain way.

The Apostle Paul said, “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop (Pastor), he desires a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1) The word used for “desires” means “to stretch oneself out in order to touch or to grasp something or to reach after or desire something.” When expressed that way it sounds as if someone wakes up one day and says… “I want to be a pastor.” …which sounds so cliché like, “I could have had a V8.” Allow me to describe a “calling” with a personal experience:

MY CALLING

I had been a Christian for several years and as an early teenager I went on a youth trip. During that retreat I had the strong impression and feeling of God’s presence and that he wanted me to be a pastor someday. I did not know how to process this experience. My pastor met with me but offered little practical help with my growing impression. For several years every time I went to church, read the Bible, prayed, or passed by a church, I felt the Lord pulling at my heart with almost audible words in my mind, “I want you to serve me as a pastor.” The compelling impression became a “desire” once I acknowledged the calling and agreed with God’s purpose for my life. I did not begin to officially serve as a pastor until several years later but in my mind, once I agreed with God’s purpose for my life, I already was a pastor. This is in contrast with some of my friends at seminary who felt that they were not pastors until graduation from seminary. I contend that they failed to truly understand the meaning of a calling. They went to seminary to become pastors but I was a pastor who went to seminary.

The compelling impression of God’s calling me became a “desire” once I acknowledged the calling and agreed with God’s purpose for my life.

WHAT IS YOUR “CALLING?”

So far you are thinking that all of this discussion is fine for pastors but you may not see pastoring in your future. I believe God calls people to serve him as chefs, painters, teachers, medical technicians, doctors, janitors, architects, policemen, paramedics, and lawyers…yes, even lawyers. Consider the following Scripture:

¹Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ²“See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, ⁴to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, ⁵in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. ⁶“And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: ⁷the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle —  ⁸the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, ⁹the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base —  ¹⁰the garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, ¹¹and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.” (Exodus 31:1-11 NKJV)

The passage says that God gave specific knowledge and ability to people to serve him in particular ways, in this case, serving in careers other than as clergy. Goldsmiths, silversmiths, woodworkers, producers of oil, incense, and textiles were specially equipped and called by God to serve him to build, serve, and maintain the tabernacle. If your broader purpose is to glorify God through your work and share Christ as you have opportunities, then almost any moral profession may be used as a vehicle to serve the Lord. Pastors and others who serve churches have a special calling from God, but so can you. What has the Lord called you do do to serve him?

——————–

Questions:

1. What has the Lord called you to do to serve him?

2. Share how God has used you to serve him in your non-church job.

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 Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He has 20 years experience as a  pastor, and is an author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching | Leadership

YOUR PERSONAL GREMLIN

YOUR PERSONAL GREMLIN

The “gremlin series” of articles I have written has been hugely successful with over 40,000 readers all total. Human nature tends to lead us to see the gremlins in the lives of other people but if that is all you see then you are missing the point.  A gremlin in this sense is a self-defeating behavior that reappears in life, work, and relationships that prevents you from achieving a new level of success. Like in the movie by the same name, gremlins usually are latent and easy to live with until they are activated by external or internal factors, either past, present, or perceived future. Every morning when you look in the mirror, if you look closely are your failings, you are likely to see your gremlin. Naming them can help you to be aware of your self-defeating behavior so you may make intentional decisions that are edifying and rewarding to all involved. The introductory article to this series is at Get Out of Your Own Way.

So, what is your personal gremlin like? What do you do repeatedly that sabotages your success? What do you do or say that repeatedly sabotages your relationships? You need to face your personal gremlin but how often we avoid seeing reality of our own ugliness…and I am not speaking of physical appearance but I am speaking of personal sin and failings.

 

An elderly woman had been diagnosed by her eye doctor as having severe cataracts. As a person ages the lens of the eyes ever so gradually become covered with an opaque film that affects sight. Someone with cataracts in both eyes may have variable perceptions of light and visual stimuli. It may be difficult to see clearly when looking in a mirror; color perception is affected as white objects appear yellow or gray; and night-driving is difficult as oncoming headlights leave one temporarily blinded with what might be called a “whiteout.” The woman had the cataract surgery and went to see her doctor for a follow-up appointment.

She said, “Doctor, there is one thing I don’t like about my vision after the surgery.”

“What would that be?” the doctor inquired.

She replied, “I have used facial cream every day for years. You know, the kind that gets rid of wrinkles. And I noticed that the cream is not working anymore.”

 The doctor said, “Why don’t you try putting the cream on the mirror next time and see if that helps.”

 

THE REMEDY FOR GREMLINS

To err is human and to avoid seeing one’s own sin, failings, and gremlins is also human. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Don’t think for a moment that you are the only one in history who has avoided sin or is beyond judgment of it. There is only one person in all of history who is sinless, and he was crucified and rose again so that when we look in the mirror and confess our sin, he forgives. Yes, the person is Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you are a Christian but still have deeply rooted sin (gremlins). The remedy is the same but what you are looking for is genuine TRANSFORMATION. Include a time in every day during which you honestly look in the mirror. Spend time in prayer asking deliverance from besetting sin in your life. Someday perhaps when you look in the mirror, the gremlin will be gone and you will see the new you.

——————–

Questions:

1. What is the name of your personal gremlin?
2. What are you doing to get rid of your gremlins?

——————–

 

Read the Complete Series

Introduction to Gremlins: Get Out of Your Own Way!

Name Your Gremlin: Blamer

Name Your Gremlin: Denial

Name Your Gremlin: Scaredy Gremlin

Name Your Gremlin: Jekyll and Hyde

Name Your Gremlin: Pigpen Gremlin

Name Your Gremlin: Pride and Arrogance

Gremlins and Guardians: Stay on the Right Path- Integrity

 

 

Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He has 20 years experience as a  pastor, and is an author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

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TRANSFORMATIONAL LOVE: 1 CORINTHIANS 13

Rose-Colored Glasses
Shutterstock_7652959

THE WAY WE WERE

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.        

1 Corinthians 13:11-12 NKJV

Each person is gifted with a differing personality and perspective on life both past, present, and future. We are often shaped by events themselves but also by how we remember those events. If we see the past through rose-colored glasses, then we will likely have pleasant memories of the past which, of course influences the present and future in positive ways. On the other hand, if we view the past through dark-colored glasses, we will likely have much resentment that affects our present and future. We need to remember that some people remember the past as being better than it was and others remember it as being worse than it was. Few remember it as it was.

Since becoming and adult, have you ever passed by or visited a house you lived in as a child? What were your thoughts? Was it as you remembered or was it different? Did it seem smaller and were all the rooms in the place you remembered? Even if the house was never remodeled since you lived there, you may be surprised. If our memories are imperfect at remembering such tangible things we can return to, then what are the implications of an imperfect memory of intangible history?

THE WAY WE ARE

It’s okay to long for “the good ole days” as long as we remember that we are venturing into an unreal land of nostalgia for a “trip down memory lane.” However, while there we should keep one foot in Reality Land so that we understand that what we see on Memory Lane might not be what actually happened. I remember the time of my children growing up as “good times” but I have been surprised to learn that they don’t see it that way at all. In fact, though my two now adult children grew up in the same home, they both remember their growing up years differently. Go figure.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

1 Corinthians 13:1-11 NIV

So, what’s the big deal? Our memories of the past, whether accurate or not, constantly massage and marinate our present and future. In fact, they are currently shaping who we are today. We are never as good as we think we are and seldom as bad as we and others think we are. There are plenty of people who don’t believe YOU can succeed; they don’t need YOU to join their club. The big deal is that you probably don’t want to be shaped by inaccurate information or the results of mentally and emotionally marinating in bitter herbs of years of resentment and anger. Have you noticed that people stuck in anger or resentment seldom use the word “love” to describe relationships with themselves or anyone else.

Have you had a conversation with someone, perhaps a family member, who shared a story of the past that included you but it was not at all how you remembered it? Perhaps you reacted, “That’s not what happened! Where did you get that story? You made that story up!” Every time you replay the “tape” it is nothing like the story they told. What does it mean?

There are certainly things in our past that we would like to change, but it is sealed and done. Sometimes we wish we could change others and how they see and do things, but that is virtually impossible. The best counsel is: Being resentful about the past holds you prisoner to the past and gets in the way of your future. Forgive, love, and move on!

VIRTUAL ALZHEIMERS

1. Your massaging and marinating your anger and resentment may have changed how you remember
2. Your constant replaying or lack of revisiting of the events of the past may have changed what and how you remember
3. Your current life situation may influence your level of resentment and how you reflect on the past
4. Your size, age, maturity level, beliefs, and attitudes then may have impaired your ability to see, understand, and remember
5. You may not have been mature enough to see or comprehend the events when they occurred
6. You are interpreting the past with a limited part of the picture
7. You may be in a rut that causes you to replay and magnify your anger and resentment and how you remember
8. Your use of alcohol and drugs may scramble what and how you remember
9. Your ego may lead you to change how and what you remember
10. Your need for affirmation and closure may affect how and what you remember

 

THE WAY WE SHOULD BE

Okay, it’s not a “memory fix” as it is an attitude fix. The point of this article is to get you to open your eyes and see the present reality and future potential. It’s time to quit blaming others, replaying the recording of your memory of “the way we were,” forgive them and yourself, and GET MOVING to a better future.

More than an attitude fix, we need a sin fix that we can only receive through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Anything else will not transform your mind, body, and soul and will only be temporary. Transformational love does not change how we look at things, it changes us and what we see when we look at things. If you receive Jesus as Lord, you can get rid of the dark glasses and the rose-colored glasses and see people as they are. Then love them anyway! It is based on the fact that God loves you! We need to be changed by love!

When I was about ten years old we moved to a different house that I thought was really big at the time. We moved from that house a couple of years later, but I have passed by that house occasionally for many years. It seems to get smaller every year, not because it has changed but because I have changed.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.                       1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

——————–

Questions:

1. What memories of the same event have you shared with someone only to discover there were big differences?
2. How has time and your perspective changed your memories?
3. How have you dealt with negative memories and the people involved?
4. Have you received Jesus and Lord? Have you forgiven yourself? Have you forgiven others?

 ——————–

Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He is a pastor, author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and is a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

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EXPONENTIAL 2012: ARE YOU BEING SIFTED?

Exponential 2012

Exponential is the largest church-planters conference in the world and it is certainly worth it. Most of my readers know that I am not a church planter, although I consider myself to be a “church re-planter” and we need many of those…but that is a future article. There are some church planters who are using Simple Discipleship to inject healthy disciple-making DNA into their church at the beginning. The key is the Simple Discipleship missional process and using one-on-one personal discipleship to build sustainable discipleship/evangelism. Most church plants experience the “dip” – a time of decline within two years of beginning that is often due to a high conversion rate and a low disciple-making rate. Again, the key to sustainable evangelism is a healthy disciple-making process.

The theme to Exponential 2012 was “Sifted” and based on the book by the same title authored by Wayne Cordeiro, Francis Chan, and Larry Osborne. These men are well known Christian leaders who know something about being sifted. The theme of the book and conference was Luke 22:31-32:

 

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”                        Lk 22:31-32 NKJV

 

YOU ARE NOT READY!

If you read the complete passage you will see that Simon Peter thought he was ready to really serve the Lord Jesus as a leader of the other disciples but events at the end of Matthew 22 indicate that he was not ready. If you think you are ready, it is likely that you are not. For Peter it was pride and arrogance and the Lord had to tear it down and rebuild him before Peter would be ready. Let’s connect the dots.

• In Matthew 16:16-19 Peter expressed his belief that Jesus is the Christ.
• Jesus promised Peter the “keys of the Kingdom.”
• In Luke 22:31 Jesus told Peter “Satan has demanded to sift you.”
• In the next verse Jesus told Peter that he would pray for him…that his faith would not fail.
• In verse 33, Peter swears that he will not falter and will not deny Christ.
• In Luke 22:54-62 Peter denied Christ three times, he was sifted.
• In John 21 Jesus restored Peter who was then a stronger and more humble man.
• In Acts 2:14 it was Peter who stood to unlock the door of the church, as it were, on the Day of Pentecost when over 3,000 people received Christ.

 

Peter was not ready until he was sifted and while he was being sifted, the Lord Jesus Christ prayed for him. Note that Jesus did not remove the sifting but allowed it to take its due course in order to complete its full work in Peter.

Sifting Wheat

ARE YOU BEING SIFTED?

If you are not being sifted, you may not be a disciple of Jesus Christ. My book Simple Discipleship outlines the stages of spiritual growth along with two stages that reflect a lack of growth- a Casual Christian and a Carnal Christian. I will concede that a disciple at either of these stages may not experience sifting since they have little impact for God and they are no threat to Satan. However, if you are making a spiritual impact on others for Christ, you will be sifted because you are a disciple-maker. Church planters, disciple-makers, pastors and many others who are in the will of God will experience sifting.

10 TIMES AND BENEFITS OF BEING SIFTED

Here are ten times or kinds of sifting coupled with the purpose and result of the sifiting.

1.         Sifting may come when you are on top- the purpose may be to humble you.

2.         Sifting may come when you least expect it- the purpose is to train you to be prepared in season and out of season.

3.         Sifting is painful- the purpose is to connect us to Christ.

4.         Sifting purifies us- the purpose is to lead us to greater repentance.

5.         Sifting may take a long time- to lead us to Fully Rely On God.

6.         Sifting removes that which is unusable- to make us useful to God.

7.         Sifting can increase our faith- to make us ready to lead others. (Luke 22:32b,c,d)

8.         Sifting can help us to reach our full potential- to help us make an impact on others.

9.         Sifting can help us to be joyful and contented- to lead us to know what’s really important.

10.       Sifting leads us to grow- to model genuine discipleship.

 

Are there more? I m certain you may add some in the comments section but please be sure to balance your additions with a) the nature of the sifting with b) the purpose or result of the sifting.

Remember, Satan’s desire is to torture you as you are sifted through the sieve so that on the other side of the sifting you have no faith in Jesus Christ. …but Jesus said,

I am praying for you!

——————–

Questions:

1. Describe an experience when you were spiritually sifted.
2. What was the outcome of your sifting?
3. Can you say you are a growing disciple of Jesus because you are being sifted?
4. What can you do to get ready for and endure sifting?

——————–

Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC. He is a pastor, author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and is a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

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GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!

Have you ever found yourself experiencing a challenge or failure that had a déjà vu feeling as if you have been here before? Then there is the realization that yes, you have repeated some of the same self-defeating behaviors that achieved a similar unpleasant result before. Call it DNA, mental loops, or whatever you want but you have the life, marriage, relationships, marriage, etc., that you have built for yourself one decision at a time. We tend to hope and pray for a new start only to find that after receiving it, we wind up in the same situation—wishing we had a “do over.” Of course you have heard the definition of insanity—doing the same things over and over while expecting different results.

Whether you get a mulligan or not, what will you do to change the next chapter of your life’s story? You cannot change your DNA but there are three things you can be aware of as you dig yourself out of that hole or start over again:

1. Spiritual Transformation
2. Change your values
3. Tame your gremlins

Three ways you may “get out of your way” are 1) spiritual transformation, change your values, and 2) tame your gremlins.

SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

The one act that can bring the desired change is receiving Jesus Christ as Lord. For those who have never made a heart-felt decision to accept Christ, they cannot comprehend how this step would change their life for good. One the other hand, those who receive Christ often wonder why they did not make the decision long before they did. Indeed there is a mystery to the transformational change that takes place as the new Christian’s values are changed as a result of accepting Christ. Romans 10:9-10 is one of the best Bible passages that illustrates what is required for spiritual transformation:

⁹ That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) 

CHANGE YOUR VALUES

Changing your values is easier said than done but it can be done! Why are values so important and how do they affect your life? Values form the template or filter through which most of your decisions are made. There are essentially two kinds of life-shaping values—intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic values are heart values that seem to come naturally to you. They were formed unknowingly and often unintentionally through experiences, relationships with family, associations with friends, and DNA. One’s DNA rarely works alone to shape one’s behavior but rather it works in tandem with one of the other factors. When one decides to change their values, they find that it is difficult to do. Intrinsic values are the basis of what are called Underlying Automatic Commitments (UACs) meaning that many decisions are made with little thought. Think of UACs as a traffic signal with the common red, yellow, and green lights, but with UACs all three lights are green. Here is a way to understand UACs:

• Underlying—decisions are made below one’s awareness and require little thought
• Automatic—decisions are made automatically with little intentionality
• Commitment—since decisions are underlying and automatic, an obligation has essentially been made once two of the three “switches” have activated

As you may see, great intentionality must be exercised in order to make a decision other than that which the UAC has already mandated. This is not to say that one cannot arrest the UAC process in order to change the outcome. In fact, that is exactly what must take place but it is incredibly difficult to do. There is one exception, however—an epiphany experience with God through which HE changes the person’s “operating system.” In such cases, the template and filter through which decisions are made is transformed.

Perhaps there are extrinsic or aspirational values one may adopt in order to “fix” one’s decision-making process. This at least may change the Underlying Automatic Commitmentto an Underlying Automatic Contingency—meaning that there is an intentional pause for thought BEFORE a final decision is made.  Remember that it takes only 21 days to develop a bad habit but it takes 66 days to develop a good one, which speaks to the reason why positive change is so difficult.

TAME YOUR GREMLINS

You may remember the 1984 movie Gremlins about a cute little pet given to a boy as a Christmas gift. There were three rules about keeping a gremlin: never expose it to bright lights, don’t get it wet, and never feed it after midnight. Of course all three rules were broken in the movie and the cute gremlin became many little monsters. The connection is that even with good values and a contingency process for decision-making, you may find that you often make impulsive decisions that are almost always poor choices. Rick Carson suggests that we often listen to our inner voices that are “gremlins” created out of one’s experience and desires that become our own worst enemy. (Taming Your Gremlin, 11)

Indeed, there are some good spiritual lessons here for the one who is interested in transformation, but even Christians sometimes struggle with destructive “inner voices.” I’m reminded of a tweet by Rick Warren that said, “Before you sin Satan says “It’s no big deal!” Afterwards he says “This is so big; you can never be forgiven” Both lies.” Gremlins tear down self esteem of the person who needs it; builds up the ego of the arrogant person; influences people to make the wrong decision with “eyes wide open;” and laugh at people after the damage has been done.

Unlike the fictional movie, these gremlins are real and people struggle with them often. Apply the opposite of the first of the three rules in the movie: expose gremlins to the light. Gremlins are tamed by identifying and naming them. When you are aware of your self-defeating behavior, you can make better decisions that will change the story of your life. This article begins a Monday is for Mentoring series on Simple Discipleship @ WordPress that will help readers overcome self-defeating behavior.

QUESTIONS:

1. Have you received Jesus Christ as Lord as a first step to Get Out of Your Own Way?
2. What values do you have that must change in order to reach a new level of growth and success?
3. Can you identify your gremlins?

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

This article is a revision of a previous post on my coaching blog site RENOVA Coaching

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
He is a pastor, author, professional coach, leadership specialist, and is a member Coach/Teacher/Speaker for the John Maxwell Team

Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching

DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: #11 – PROFICIENCY DISCIPLESHIP

Christian Leadership Development Model

This series of articles explores thirteen major methods that are effective for making disciples. Keep in mind that in a ubiquitous (all encompassing, everywhere present) disciple-making process, virtually each method is not only encouraged but is planned into the church ministries. Here is a list including links to articles that have been completed in the series:

• Simple Discipleship: A Comprehensive Disciple-Making Plan- The Simple Discipleship Virtual Book Tour- (updated) originally posted in 2010
• DISCIPLESHIP BEST PRACTICES: 13 Ways to Make Disciples

1. Passive Discipleship: the least effective method but essential to support other methods

2. Private Discipleship: the Christian and the Holy Spirit (most effective but under used)

3. Presence Discipleship: In times of crisis the disciple invests time, assistance, and prayer.

4. Participation or Proximity Discipleship: applies to all areas but most of all to giving

5. Projected Discipleship: Actively but humbly projecting a Christian example of living Christ’s teachings.

6. Platform or Presentation Discipleship: preaching in church and lecture-style Bible study

7. Program Discipleship: Pre-packaged materials delivered in large or small groups.

8. Personal Discipleship: One-on-one discipleship (very effective but seldom used)

9. Peer Group Discipleship: Bible study and Sunday School

10.  Practical Discipleship: Hands on service, evangelism, and missional projects

11.  Proficiency Discipleship: Leadership Development

12.  Proclamation Discipleship: Evangelism and preaching to unchurched

13.  Process Discipleship: All of the above delivered in a systematic way

Evaluate how you and your church are doing in the 13 methods of discipleship: Copy of 13 Ways to Make Disciples_Evaluation

INTRODUCTION

This article in the “Discipleship Best Practices” series presents the greatest challenge as there are a myriad of articles, blogs, and books on the subject of “leadership.” Unfortunately, there is not an equal focus on leadership development as related to discipleship. Perhaps we are looking for that quick-fix, magic button, next big thing, simple and easy way of developing leaders. Sorry…you will not find it here. As with discipleship, developing leaders is a process and it takes time. I marvel that few church leaders and churches even have any kind of real leadership development process. I have written on the subject before in the articles IMPROVING YOUR CHURCH’S CULTURE: 11- Leadership Training   and #11 The Twelve Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Church: What is our leadership development process? 

 For this article I will build on the cited articles and I want to challenge readers who are responsible for the design of leadership training to include what I consider to be the soil of great Christian leaders—the mind of a leader and the humility of a leader.

WE NEED PROFICIENCY DISCIPLESHIP

What is “proficiency discipleship?” “Proficiency”  is defined as “advancement in knowledge or skill.” For the purpose of this article and series the term will apply to leadership development of Christians.

The following story was quite common before the internet and distance education but is still a challenge as few churches offer internships or leadership development opportunities:

In the 1980s I knew the Lord wanted me to someday serve as a pastor. I was working toward a degree so I could later go to seminary but I wanted to get started with hands on ministry. The church where I attended offered no real training other than as a Bible study teacher for which I had a large following. My pastor was somewhat paranoid of other preachers and teachers in the church and rarely gave us any opportunities to do anything outside of our normal service. I made appointments with pastors of several other churches to discuss opportunities for ministry training and experienced rejection at worst and indifference at best. I found it necessary to essentially settle for waiting until going to seminary before getting some hands on training other than teaching Bible study.

For the purpose of this article we are not just speaking of those who may become pastors but also of Christians who will go on to serve as deacons, elders, and teachers in the local church. What qualities should they possess and what may a church do to develop their yearning desire to serve into ministry proficiency?

Church leaders need to develop or at least provide for the leadership development of potential and new leaders in the church. Training should include hands-on supervised ministry in the church. I particularly like the Unlimited Partnerships model of providing peer group leadership training for ministry while the leader is actively serving. I also like the organization Truth@Work as they have Christian leadership coaches who develop proficiency discipleship programs for leaders in the workplace. Churches are far behind when it comes to proficiency discipleship. Take the step and start Christian coaching ministries and leadership development ministries in your church and community. The best proficiency discipleship programs will include modules using each of the thirteen ways to make disciples.

PROFICIENCY DISCIPLESHIP CULTIVATES CHARACTER

In my book Simple Discipleship: How to Make Disciples in the 21^st Century I discussed a leadership training model that merges the principles of Simple Discipleship and Ken Blanchard’s leadership training model discussed in his book Lead Like Jesus. Here is a verbal description that corresponds with the Simple Discipleship visual shown in this article:

1. WORSHIP—Heart- “What do I value?” (Self-leadership effectiveness)
2. WORD—Head- “What do I believe?” (One-on-one leadership effectiveness)
3. MINISTRY—Hands- “What do I do?” (Team leadership effectiveness)
4. MISSIONS—Habits- “What do people say?” (Community Leadership effectiveness)

Note the four points above and the progressive spiritual growth that is illustrated as one lives the Christian life in relationship to self, in personal individual relationships, to a small group or team, and to the community outside the church. This is consistent with the principles of 1 Timothy 3:7 which says, “Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (NKJV)

Leadership skills do not develop in a vacuum but are cultivated and nurtured as one lives the Christian life around the cross daily. “Progressive spiritual maturity develops as one grows from WORSHIP to WORD to MINISTRY, and to MISSIONS” (Simple Discipleship, 102). Some spiritual maturity elements such as humility are cultivated in the WORSHIP domain as one gives heart-felt participation in private and public worship. Humility is the result of seeing oneself in the presence of God. An Isaiah 6 experience helps one put self and God in the proper perspective. Humility may grow over a period of time and continued connection with God through living life around the cross, i.e. WORSHIP, WORD, MINISTRY, and MISSIONS. Humility matures in the MINISTRY domain as one eagerly seeks to serve others. A distinction must be drawn between “humiliation” and “humility,” as the former is inflicted or forced upon a person and the latter is heart-felt and voluntary. The fruit of humility in a disciple’s life also shows up in the MISSIONS domain as integrity and trust.

The point is that churches should develop a leadership development process for potential leaders that cultivates faith, humility, integrity, and character. It is fair to say that a leader who has been tested in the four Simple Discipleship domains and is found to possess faith, humility, integrity, and character will be a good servant leader. A potential leader found lacking in either of the four qualities will likely not be a good servant leader.

PROFICIENCY DISCIPLESHIP HELPS LEADERS THINK DIFFERENTLY

A common proverb about leadership is, “A leader on a journey with no one following is only out on a walk.” With all of the discussion and programs available for leadership development, we are producing few leaders. Not only are we missing the boat when it comes to cultivating Christian character as illustrated above but we also fail to cultivate the thinking of potential leaders. Leaders think differently! Jesus did and later Paul the apostle. Space does not allow an inclusion of many historical Christian leaders who thought differently and transformed some area of their community.

Liz Mellon in her book Inside the Leader’s Mind: Five Ways to Think Like a Leader, has identified some interesting points of leadership development that may be neglected. I list them here with my own revisions for Christian leaders:

1. Leaders push the boundaries with God as their safety net.
2. Leaders are comfortable in discomfort as they lead others to a new spiritual level.
3. Leaders exude spiritual confidence to those they lead.
4. Leaders are aware of their role in the life of those they lead as related to God’s plan and purpose for a specific contextual ministry.
5. Leaders assimilate the identity of their ministry and vice versa; this is required for “big picture” long-term transformational leadership

Perhaps these five points will be discussed in a future article.

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the leadership development process of your church or ministry.
2. How would a leadership development process change the culture of your church?
3. Do the five descriptions of how leaders think describe you?

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching Site

SECRET CHURCH REFLECTIONS

SUMMARY

Real Secret Church Meeting

Will the real Secret Church please stand up. They are! God may use the Secret Church movement started by Pastor David Platt to spark a New Great Awakening. Secret Church along with other ministries that call attention of American Christians to the plight of persecuted Christians in other countries are gaining attention. American Christianity is marked by low expectations, declining churches, egocentric focus, consumerism, and worship wars over style. Persecuted Christians in other nations do not struggle with such issues. They often worship in cellars, frequently have to change locations, and quietly worship with no instruments or singing so as to avoid attention of authorities. They often gather from sunrise to sunset to glean God’s truth from a few pages torn out of a Bible since a few pages are easier to conceal than a signature Bible. Join the movement! (For more information on the persecuted church go to Voice of Martyrs.)

THE NEW GREAT AWAKENING

For several years the Lord has inspired me with an interest in pulling three things together to grow the Kingdom of God: 1) deep discipleship worship, 2) focus on the persecuted church around the world, and 3) spark a spiritual awakening in America. Then I heard about Secret Church even as I began to plan something similar I call CityPointe Worship. I believe that God is up to something transformational when he inspires Christian leaders from various places with a similar idea that makes or grows disciples. Perhaps the Lord is bringing a New Great Awakening!

God is up to something transformational when he inspires Christian leaders from various places with a similar idea that makes or grows disciples.

I had the opportunity to attend a Secret Church event held at a Pentecostal church close to where I live called Mt. Paran North where Mark L. Walker, Ph.D. serves as Senior Pastor. The event began promptly at 6:00 PM with prayer and praise music. By 6:15 PM Pastor Walker began teaching “A Survey of the New Testament” and for the next six hours 500 people on a Friday evening listened to every word and filled in the blanks of their study guide. There were of course short breaks but without food or snacks. The point was to get to the restroom, grab a bottle of water, and return to your seat as soon a possible so as not to miss anything.

Secret Church Building Demolished

A FOCUS ON THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

The backdrop that provided such motivation to study the Bible at this event was a focus on the persecuted church around the world. During one of the “breaks” a pastor from China spoke of his life and work. His work as a pastor is unimaginable to most pastors in the west. On a typical Sunday, Pastor Jon (not his real name) leaves home at 6:00 AM to lead worship at three different locations through the day. Each church meets in a basement or other crude building that will accommodate from 20 to 40 people. He said that they often have to relocate every three weeks to avoid communist government authorities. It is difficult to remain secret once they grow to 40 or more so they have to split and replicate. (Sounds like what happened in the early church as recorded in Acts.) If discovered, the government will arrest and often torture the pastors for their activity of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Government officials intimidate and scatter Christians who worship together secretly. The Chinese government will often demolish a building used for secret church services. The photo above is of a building that was being used by an underground church. For this reason, churches seldom sing songs or use musical instruments so as to avoid attention. If he is discovered by the government in China, he may be tortured and killed and his wife and children also persecuted simply because they worship Jesus Christ. By the time Pastor Jon arrives back home it is 11:00 PM.

PURE WORSHIP

The stories of Pastor Jon’s life and ministry are compelling. The underground churches are not consumer-driven, nor do they struggle through worship wars involving conflicting styles of music. Instead, they have come to understand “pure worship” through studying the Bible, a sermon from their pastor, life testimonies from the people, and earnest prayer. I found that what we experienced in Secret Church was an effort at “pure worship.”

Is your church consumer-driven or disciple-making driven?

It certainly was not an austere experience like that of the Chinese, but it was without much of the “fluff” characterized by many churches in the U.S. on an average Sunday. At the very least Secret Church was a deep discipleship worship experience. If given the opportunity to participate in a Secret Church service whether in a small group, home church, or traditional church setting, …do it…for the time is near!

BENEFITS OF A SECRET CHURCH OR SIMILAR EVENT

1.  Gets people into reading and studying the Bible.
2. The host church becomes a center of Bible teaching in the community.
3. Evangelism…it will win some to Christ.
4. It will get the people busy inviting others to attend since it is something new.
5. It deepens the spiritual faith of the people.
6. It deepens the spiritual roots of the people so they are firmly planted.
7.  It leads people to pray for the persecuted church around the world.
8. It leads people to appreciate their freedom to worship.
9. It may lead to a greater commitment of the people.
10. God may use Secret Church and other discipleship worship events to spark a new Great Awakening.

You should consider hosting a Secret Church meeting at your church or in some home settings to spark revival.

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

QUESTIONS:

1.      What obstacle would you face by hosting a Secret Church event?

2.      How could God bring revival to your community using Secret Church?

3.      Would you describe your church as consumer-driven or disciple-making driven?

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
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