Hey Gang,

Well, another week has arrived and that means another message to prepare for, 5 blogs to write, face book to keep up with, and endless twitters and emails – and that is just to start my days.  It can become maddening, especially for a techno-boob like me.  Why all the technology and communication?  It is to keep up with cutting edge ministers, for personal growth, and to help others in ministry do the same.  As Faith Promise grows, the staff, money, needs, buildings, additional services and a thousands of other leadership issues have to be faced. If we am not careful we could easily loose the Master to the Monster.  The monster is all the stuff that must be done to keep the ministry flowing and lives being transformed.  Without caution, the monster gets all of our attention and we loose sight of why we started all this to begin with.  WE started ’cause we love Jesus and we wanted to change lives, Remember?  But as God poured out His Spirit and favor more people were saved and changed, causing the church to grow and creating the need for, well, more “stuff” – the Monster. This is just a warning, to all of you experiencing the favor and Spirit of God.  So Chris, what’s the answer? Let me give you some helpful hints that I use to stay connected to the Master and use the Monster:

1. Keep your heart red-hot for Jesus.  This requires serious time with the Lord.  Dr. Cho who pastors the largest church in the world spends 3 hours a day in prayer.  Let’s not even bring up Jesus.  You must stay connected to Christ.

2. Stay anchored to the Word.  Get in the Word, not just to prepare to preach, but to prepare your heart.  Let the Word loose and let it do its work.

3. Keep a soft heart for people. After awhile you can get tired of the constant pull of the masses.  People will always have problems and they will always need you.  You can’t meet every need, but stay soft and compassionate. Psalm 103:4…”Crowned with loving-kindness and compassion.” Are you?  “Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flows the issues of life.”

4. Guard your time.  Set your own agendas and keep your calendar.  If you let the phone determine your day, you will never get done what needs to be done.  Determine your priorities and then prepare your calendar; then work the day that way.  Beware of the “tyranny of the urgent!”

5. Daily be filled with the Holy Spirit.  If you don’t, you’ll find that old hymn will apply to you: “Running on Empty.” Allow God to fill you and He will work through you. I’m pretty sure the Eagles were a Christian group.Ha ha! 

6. Take your days off and ALL your vacation time.  If you will let it, the church will suck all the life out of you.  Praise God for some churches like FPC that makes sure that does not happen, but most will kill you if you let them.

The ministry is wonderful.  Both of my sons feel called into full time vocational ministry and I’m stoked about it.  I have loved it.  I have seen the two churches I have served grow from 25 on my first Sunday to 3000 now in attendance.  I have watched a lot of changes and issues.  If I would have allowed it, the Monster would have killed me. Thank God for His amazing grace.  Today walk in the power and joy of the Lord;  use the Monster to maximize the Kingdom of God, not to steal your joy or future in God’s harvest field.

Be blessed,

Pastor