Six Hundred

Six hundred people excited about their dreams or excited about figuring out what those dreams are.

Six hundred people meeting new friends face-to-face after building community online.

Six hundred people admitting and addressing and conquering their fears.

Six hundred people encouraging each other.

Six hundred people.

I spent the weekend at Jon Acuff’s Start Conference as one of those six hundred.  We heard fantastic, funny, and touching speakers talk about their bumpy starts, their voices of fear, their struggles even after achieving amazing things.  People that had been Facebooking for the last two months or two years met, hugged, shared meals, and shared dreams.  It was so amazing I feel like I have a Start hangover.

One of the little things that struck me is the conference staff wore shirts that said, “Ask me to ask you about your dream.”  What an wonderful thing – a place that is safe to express your dreams and fears!  The air was electric with the energy of people sharing their passion and vision!  “Someone wants to hear my heart!”

The dream/passion/vision I shared over and over was Barnabas House.  I told people about you.  And every person responded to me, “That’s so needed!”  Every one.  That tells me that you are seen – your sacrifice, commitment, joys, and struggles.  Hold onto that in the dark night or on Monday morning.  You are seen.  By God, Barnabas House, and by at least six hundred other people.  When the enemy says you are alone, know him for the liar he is.  Your voice is being heard.

The transformational miracle of the conference was not in the speakers, regardless of how inspiring they were.  And they REALLY were!  (John Crist, Dana Tanamachi, Jeremy Cowart, Reggie Joiner, Dave Barnes, Steve Moakler, Derek Webb, Alli Worthington, Sammy Rhodes, Jeff Goins, and of course Jon Acuff were absolutely incredible!)  It was not in the fantastic facility at Brentwood Baptist church or the cool activity centers (a boxing bag and gloves to punch fear in the face, a brag table to share triumphs big and small, a photo booth to capture the joy).  The miracle was in the communities that had sprung up and thrived in preparation for the event. 

We are not celebrities or power brokers.  We are pilgrims traveling together on the journey to realizing God’s purpose for our lives.  There is power in community.  There is healing.  There is encouragement.  There is support.  There is challenge to come up higher.  There is hope.

Six hundred people didn’t rest much this weekend. 

Six hundred people connected in groups big and small.

Six hundred people celebrated the power of community and I was there.

Come join the celebration.

My Best Advice–12 Encouraging Words for Pastors

Post by Ron Edmondson from churchleaders.com

 

I love pastors. Each week, through this blog and my personal ministry, God allows me to partner with dozens of pastors, helping them think through life and ministry issues. I’ve learned that many pastors struggle to find people who will invest in them and help them grow as individuals, leaders and pastors.

Recently I had a pastor ask me for my “best advice” for other pastors. Wow! That’s hard to say. I’ve learned so much through the pastors who have invested in me and by experience. It’s hard to summarize all that I’ve learned. It could probably fill a book or two…but at least more than one blog post!

I put some thought into the question and decided to come up with a list of encouragement, one that I would give to all pastors, to answer his question. I’m sure there’s more (and you can help by adding yours), but this post is at least a start. Of course, wisdom is transferable to other fields, so change a few words around and I’d give this advice to any leader…some of them perhaps to any person.

Here are 12 words of encouragement for pastors:

1. Choose your friends wisely…but choose friends.

Don’t attempt to lead alone. Too many pastors avoid close friendships because they’ve been hurt. They trusted someone with information who used it against them. Finding friends you can trust and be real with means you’ll sometimes get injured, but the reward is worth it.

2. The church can never love your family as much as you do.

Your family needs you more than the church does. They can get another pastor. Your family doesn’t want another you. You’ll have to learn to say “no”, learn how to balance and prioritize your time, and be willing to delegate to others in the church. (You may want to read THIS POST from my friend Michael Hyatt on saying “no” with grace.”

3. If you protect your Sabbath day, your Sabbath day can better protect you.

You’ll wear out quickly without a day a week to rejuvenate. God designed us this way. Take advantage of His provision. Take time to rest. You may not rest like everyone else…for me rest doesn’t mean doing nothing…but you need time away from the demands of ministry regularly. Lead your church to understand you can’t be everywhere every time. You owe it to yourself, your family, your church and your God.

4. You have influence…use it well.

The pastorate comes with tremendous power and responsibility. It’s easy to abuse or take for granted. Don’t. Humility welcomes the hand of God on your ministry.

5. No amount of accountability or structure will keep you from temptation if you’re heart is impure.

Above all else, guard your heart. (Proverbs 4:23) Avoid any hint of temptation. Look for the warning signs your heart is drifting. Keep your heart saturated with God’s Word and in prayer.

6. Let God lead.

You can do some things well. God can do the impossible. Whom do you think should ultimately be leading the church? You’ll be surprised how much more effective your leadership will be when it’s according to His will and not yours.

7. If you can dream it, God can dream it bigger.

Don’t dismiss the seemingly ridiculous things God calls you to do. They won’t always make sense to others or meet their immediate approval, but God’s ways will prove best every time.

8. Keep Jesus the center of focus in the church.

You’ll never have a money problem, a people problem, or a growth problem if people are one with Jesus.

9. Your personal health affects the health of the church.

Take care of yourself relationally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This, too, requires discipline, balance and prioritizing, but if, to the best of your ability, you strive to be healthy in every area of your life, as a good shepherd, your people will be more likely to follow your example.

10. The people in your church deserve authenticity.

Not only will be honest about who you are help keep you from trying to meet unreal expectations, but it will help the people in your church be transparent with you and others. Don’t be someone you’re not. Be someone worthy to follow, but make sure you’re living it…not just teaching it.

11. You’ll never make everyone happy.

If you try, you’ll be very unhappy…and very unproductive.

Now, make this post better. As you can count, there are only 11 here. I’m counting on you to add your best number 12.

What word of encouragement do you have for pastors (or other leaders)?

 

 

Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader passionate about planting churches, helping established churches thrive, and assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life. Ron has over 20 years business experience, mostly as a self-employed business owner, and he’s been helping church grow vocationally for over 10 years.