Daily Affirmations

Yesterday, the staff spent some time affirming fellow staff members during our weekly meeting.  This was a really cool time to see God work.  We went around the circle and took turns telling our coworkers how they have positively influenced our work environment.  After we went around the circle, we prayed for that person.  It was really powerful.

It was very interesting that it was one of the first times that I had ever seen this done, and I have been in ministry for close to 15 years.  That’s sad.  How is that possible? 

It’s true though.  How often do we in ministry affirm our fellow coworkers?  I know that I don’t take the appropriate time to do so.  We get so bogged down with the daily grind of “doing work” for God that we often forget that we are working together to accomplish the same goal.

No matter what our job is on staff whether it’s a worship leader, senior pastor, children’s ministry director, finance ministry, etc., we’re all working together to accomplish the same goals.  But we often get so distracted with what we’re doing in our own ministry that we forget that nothing gets done without the “team” effort.

Where would I be as the contemporary worship leader without the finance ministry?  How about the children’s ministry or the traditional music director?  Do I just tuck myself away in my closet sized office and hibernate?

Here’s the question that we have to ask ourselves: other than our job titles, what role do we play on the team?  Comic relief? A shoulder to cry on? A good ear?  That not only goes for ministry workplaces but also in the secular work place.  What role do you play?  Are you the “sports guy?”  are you the person that people can talk to when times are tough?  Are you the voice of reason in a hectic situation?  No matter what role you play, it’s an important one.

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body?  If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.  The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.  And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.”   1 Corinthians 12: 12-26

Team Chemistry

There's something to be said about team chemistry.  It can make or break your team.  You see it all the time in sports.  When a bunch of players play as “individuals,” they don’t end up going far, but the players that may not be as talented and have great team chemistry end up winning it all.  That was definitely the case in last years NBA Finals.  The Heat (a bunch of individuals) verses the Mavericks (the players who played as a team). 

The same is true in churches.  Team chemistry is so important.  I am working at a church with a staff of about 13 employees.  We work well together, but we also have a little fun with each other.  We play practical jokes on each other.  We hide ugly statues and rubber spiders in each others offices.  We go to lunch together.  We have coffee together.  We are a team.

I think that churches often miss that concept.  They just try to assemble the best people for the positions that they need filled.  They bypass the idea of team chemistry.  When working in ministry, you work so closely together.  You are asked to help out in other ministries that aren’t necessarily your “forte.”  You’re just asked to be available to do whatever is needed.  That’s ministry.  Being available to do whatever God wants whenever he needs.  I’ve always heard it said that God doesn’t need experienced people, just willing ones.  So true.

Chemistry was not one of my favorite subjects in high school, but it’s something I’ve worked very hard to achieve since I’ve gone into full time ministry.

If you'll excuse me, I need to put a rubber spider in an office...

The Sidelines

I have played sports for the majority of my life.  These days, I mainly play softball.  But when I was in high school and playing basketball and baseball regularly, I HATED sitting on the bench.  Even if I needed the break, I would upset me to sit.  I always wanted to be in the game.  Even now playing softball, I hate DHing and not playing in the field.  Granted, there are days when my knees won't let me play.  But regardless, I still want to be out there.

Those of us that are athletes feel that way.  We always want to be in the game.  Is that the same mentality that we have with our faith though?  How many of us use the excuse that, "Well, I don't have all the answers like a pastor does.  I'll never be an 'expert.'"  Far too often, we as Christians sit on the sidelines.  We leave the "going and making" to the "professionals."  We forget though that when Jesus told us to "go and make disciples (Matt. 28:19)," he was talking to all of us.

You see, when you are a Christian, there is no sitting on the sidelines.  God wants all of us to be active participants.

I remember a few years ago, I was on a mission trip with some students.  As we were driving to our destination, we passed by a park where some little kids were playing soccer.  We watched as the entire roster of both teams go after the ball.  It was just mass chaos.  All of the kids were just following the ball, yearning to kick it.

I decided to use the moment as a teaching tool for the students in the car.  I asked, what they thought about the little children just following after the ball.  One student said, "It's nuts!  It's like there are no rules."  He was right, but another student said something that has stuck with me for a long time.  She said, "They're just so excited to kick the ball.  They just want to be a part of what's going on."

How true.

So many of us as Christians are content with sitting on the sidelines.  We do "our part" by going to church for an hour a week and maybe putting a few bucks in the offering plate.  But what if we treated our faith like those little kids on that soccer field?  What if we were all just so excited to be a part of something?

Are you actively engaged in what God wants you to be or...are you sitting on the sidelines?

Tears

I don't cry in public.  It's not something I do.  I think I can count on one hand the times that I have cried in front of more than 5 people.  Last night, I added another moment.

After Fuse had concluded, I got on stage and told the students that my wife and I would no longer be helping out regularly on Sunday nights after the Pause retreat.  It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.  When you give all of yourself to a ministry for almost 4 years, it tends to get to you.  I have see these students grow in their faith.  I have see their lives and the lives of their friends change for the better.

As I stood there...I was speechless.  I couldn't get the words out.  Even though I am leaving, it is the right thing to do.  

I know that.   

The students know that.

The past few months I think that everyone knew that the time was coming; that the end was near.

I am so thankful for my Fuse family.  They were there to help me through some hard times, as well as celebrate the good.  They all taught me so many things.  I am a better person because God put the staff, leaders and students of Fuse in my life.  

I'll always remember the retreats.  The set up. The tear down.  The paintball trips.  The mission trips.  Camping in the rain storms.  The Nerf dart gun wars.  The softball team. And so many other times when I've laughed and cried.  But the thing that I will remember the most is how God changed my life through the people, both young and old, that make up the Fuse family.

I know that it's not goodbye forever.  I'm sure I'll poke my head in from time to time.  But it is the end of my time on a regular basis.  

Thank you.

Leaving A Legacy

The other day, I ran sound for the funeral of a church member. Being brand new to the congregation, I didn't know the man, but as I sat up in the balcony, I took note of something: this man was very loved and respected. His best friend gave an impassioned eulogy that made me wish I knew the man who had passed. After he was done, the entire church applauded. It was quite a sight to see.

Witnessing all this, it got me thinking, how will people remember me? I'm almost 30 years old and, by all account, I have a lot of life ahead of me. But as we all know, we can be one car ride away from the end. So, how will I be remembered?

Will I be known as the "nice guy?" A singer? A musician? A good husband? A good dad? These are all great things to be known for, but will they last?

How many disciples have I helped make? How many of those disciples have then in turn made disciples? How will those people teach their kids about Jesus? How many people will know Jesus because I spoke up about how He changed my life?

These questions help me understand where my legacy lies. Does my legacy lie with things of this world or does it lie with Jesus?

What is your legacy?

Reader Request #1-Joy

So apparently, my readers would like me to take topic requests. Being that I could always use ideas in coming up with new topics, I'm happy to oblige. Here goes:

Are you happy? That's a pretty loaded question. Right now, it's cold and rainy and snowy (at least where I live). At least when it's snowing during December, you think to yourself, "It's Christmas! Yea!" Then January and February it...it's just depressing at that point.

Maybe you're going through a rough time in your life. Maybe you've lost your job. Maybe you've lost a loved one recently. Maybe you feel lost in life. These things can effect your happiness.

You see, happiness is an emotion. And like all emotions, they come and go. Sometimes you're happy. Other times you're sad...or angry...or hurt...or indifferent. Emotions change as frequently as the weather. And, if we allow them to, can affect our lives dramatically, causing us to question a lot of things in life.
You see, we feel we are "entitled" to the pursuit of "happiness," as our forefathers once wrote. But is "happiness" what we should be pursuing? I say no. Why pursue an emotion that will fade? You might as well dedicate your life in pursuit of an ice cream cone (I mean, come on, have you ever seen a mad person with an ice cream cone?). Ice cream is available in every town, on every street. It's easy to find. It's also just as easy to lose...

Instead, commit your life to the pursuit of joy. I know, you're thinking, "Aren't joy and happiness the same thing?" Answer: no way. Where happiness can give way to sadness, joy is also seeing the positive in difficult situations.

Read the Psalms. So many times you see David struggling with something, but in the end, he still has hope.

I don't know if you have ever been to a funeral before, but you can always tell when the deceased was a strong Christian. Sure the people are sad, but they have joy and hope in knowing that the person is in heaven with Jesus. That's what joy looks like. No matter what garbage you're going through, you can still see the positive. You know that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Joy is one of Gods greatest gifts to us. It gets us through those tough times. It sustains our happiness. When our joy comes from God, we can be rest assured that no matter what lies ahead, good or bad, that God is in control.

I'll ask again: Are you happy?

Next question: Where does your joy come from?

Compliments

I have been playing music in front of people for the better part of 15 years.  I've sung for large groups and small gatherings; weddings and funerals; concerts and worship services.  I like to sing.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  If given the chance, I would sing myself horse.  There's just one thing I'm REALLY uncomfortable with...having someone come up to me and give me a compliment. 

I don't know what it is.  I'll brag about a single that I turned into a double in church-league softball for weeks.  I can still tell you the story of how I held on to the ball as a catcher when a guy plowed into me.  I could brag on myself and my accomplishments all day.  BUT when someone comes up to me after church to comment positively on a song that I sung, I freeze.  I get uncomfortable.  I just say an awkward "Thanks."  I turn into a shy little kid.

Even worse, I may deflect it and say, "Oh, well...uh...I screwed up that line in the third verse." Why would I say that?  The majority of people would never know that.  Now I just made that person feel bad and THEY go away awkward.

It's weird.  I've always been that way.  I know other worship leaders that feel the same way and do the same thing.  It's almost like we don't want to accept the compliment.  Why?  God gave us the gift.  We're just using that gift to glorify Him. 

It's a tough thing for worship leaders to accept a compliment.  Maybe it's because we think that people are complimenting our act of worship.  Those of you that work in an office feel good when someone compliments your PowerPoint presentation or your budget speech.  Why do worship leaders shy away from essentially that same compliment?

It's an odd position to be in and I don't know if I will ever get over it.

Are you a worship leader or musician that struggles with the same thing?  How do you handle it?