This past Sunday (Feb 15, 2009) we had a busy service here at McDougal Chapel.
You see, our services start at 10:30 AM and run until Noon. On a typical Sunday we will have - not in this order - a worship time (about 7 songs), offering, announcements, a greeting, a prayer time and a message.
This week we squeezed in the introduction of 5 new members as well as a testimony from an existing member. It was a wonderful service. The great thing was that we still ended close to noon.
When the service ended I had a lady come up to me and say that see too wanted to become a member. I also know of two other families that are considering taking a covenant to be part of the vision and direction of McDougal Chapel.
This is so encouraging for a pastor. I know that for this congregation to move to the next level of effectiveness we are going to have to break through, what I call, the imaginary ceiling.
The imaginary ceiling is what holds a congregation at the level they are at. You cannot see it. You cannot touch it. You cannot even really define it. It is just there.
I know that in order to break through it takes lots of force and momentum.
If you were to try to break a piece of Drywall by pushing on it lightly it is hard to break. You need to make a fist and punch it as hard as you can. Then you not only break through, you crush and destroy that barrier.
As we continue to create Community here at McDougal Chapel. As we challenge the congregation to grow. As we show care for people. As we show concern for the individual needs. We are going to break through that ceiling and there will be no looking back.
So many times a church will say that they want to break through that ceiling but only lightly push on it. The key, in my opinion is to smash through it. Breaking it as if you will never be there again.
On a couple of weeks (Feb 27, 28) the elders are taking a weekend to talk about breaking through this barrier. We will examine what we are doing today against our vision statement. It is going to be a hard weekend but it is going to be a great weekend.
I cannot wait to write about it. Blessings.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
A Miracle in Sundre?
One of Jesus' most famous miracles was the feeding of the 5000.
Here is the Biblical Account of this story
Matthew 14:15-21 (NLT)
I often wonder if miracles like this happen anymore. We hear of the occasional healing and safety reports but the multiplication of food? That would be a rare one.
Yesterday after church, we had what we call a new-comers lunch. This lunch is served to anyone in our congregation that is - well - new.
The purpose of this lunch is to allow those who are new the opportunity to connect to this community we call McDougal Chapel. We give them information about the church, introduce them to our elders, let new-comers know what is going on as far as programing and we answer any questions that they might have.
And, of course, we feed them lunch.
The plan was for the elders to take turns being the host of the event. Since it was my idea and this was the first time we had done this, I volunteered to take the first New Comers Lunch.
It was here that I put my leadership skills to use - delegating the responsibility. So I gently asked Jodi if she could make chili for the meal. She agreed.
On Saturday night as Jodi was slaving over the oven making Chili, we were chatting about how many people were going to show up? We had no idea. The church had seen so many new people the last months. How could a person even predict how many were going to be in attendance?
We both agreed to pull out some extra ground-beef, just to be sure.
The Sunday Service was again normal - lots of "new-comers". Jodi skipped the message to finish preparing the meal. She was worried. In her head she knew that she had to feed the elders, their wives and families, and then the new people. How can you predict how many were going to show up?
So Jodi prayed. "Please let us have enough food. We have no idea what we are doing here."
The service went well and the people filed down to the basement of the church. And we started to eat.
I will never know the exact number that were in attendance because I did not count, but there were a lot of people.
Want to hear something really cool? We did not run out of food. People were going for seconds and thirds. Everyone had enough to eat.
Want to hear something cooler? As I went to the chili pot to see what was left - it was totally empty. Not a drop.
At most buffets when you run out of food that means someone was hungry. Yet here everyone had enough to eat. I guess when God is working and you run out of food, it means we have everyone will be satisfied - not hungry.
Coincidence of Miracle? I will let you make that call.
Here is the Biblical Account of this story
Matthew 14:15-21 (NLT)
(15) That evening the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and it is getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves."
(16) But Jesus replied, "That isn't necessary-you feed them."
(17) "Impossible!" they exclaimed. "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish!"
(18) "Bring them here," he said.
(19) Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. And he took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God's blessing on the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave some of the bread and fish to each disciple, and the disciples gave them to the people.
(20) They all ate as much as they wanted, and they picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.
(21) About five thousand men had eaten from those five loaves, in addition to all the women and children!
(16) But Jesus replied, "That isn't necessary-you feed them."
(17) "Impossible!" they exclaimed. "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish!"
(18) "Bring them here," he said.
(19) Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. And he took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God's blessing on the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave some of the bread and fish to each disciple, and the disciples gave them to the people.
(20) They all ate as much as they wanted, and they picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.
(21) About five thousand men had eaten from those five loaves, in addition to all the women and children!
I often wonder if miracles like this happen anymore. We hear of the occasional healing and safety reports but the multiplication of food? That would be a rare one.
Yesterday after church, we had what we call a new-comers lunch. This lunch is served to anyone in our congregation that is - well - new.
The purpose of this lunch is to allow those who are new the opportunity to connect to this community we call McDougal Chapel. We give them information about the church, introduce them to our elders, let new-comers know what is going on as far as programing and we answer any questions that they might have.
And, of course, we feed them lunch.
The plan was for the elders to take turns being the host of the event. Since it was my idea and this was the first time we had done this, I volunteered to take the first New Comers Lunch.
It was here that I put my leadership skills to use - delegating the responsibility. So I gently asked Jodi if she could make chili for the meal. She agreed.
On Saturday night as Jodi was slaving over the oven making Chili, we were chatting about how many people were going to show up? We had no idea. The church had seen so many new people the last months. How could a person even predict how many were going to be in attendance?
We both agreed to pull out some extra ground-beef, just to be sure.
The Sunday Service was again normal - lots of "new-comers". Jodi skipped the message to finish preparing the meal. She was worried. In her head she knew that she had to feed the elders, their wives and families, and then the new people. How can you predict how many were going to show up?
So Jodi prayed. "Please let us have enough food. We have no idea what we are doing here."
The service went well and the people filed down to the basement of the church. And we started to eat.
I will never know the exact number that were in attendance because I did not count, but there were a lot of people.
Want to hear something really cool? We did not run out of food. People were going for seconds and thirds. Everyone had enough to eat.
Want to hear something cooler? As I went to the chili pot to see what was left - it was totally empty. Not a drop.
At most buffets when you run out of food that means someone was hungry. Yet here everyone had enough to eat. I guess when God is working and you run out of food, it means we have everyone will be satisfied - not hungry.
Coincidence of Miracle? I will let you make that call.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Another Sunday another Sermon
Well, another Sunday has come and gone. Overall, it was a good day but I need to comment on an observation.
You see, today I was not feeling myself as I preached. My thoughts were not clear and I felt like I was "babbling on". However, this is where my observation comes in.
Even when we are not at our best, God can still work. I talked to a few people after the service who felt God speaking to them. "Were they listening to the same sermon I was delivering?"
I am pretty sure that my message was not that great. So here it is - when the Holy Spirit moves it is not because we are so good, it is because the people are listening.
I am so thankful for our congregation. I know that they are listening to what God has for them and this church in Sundre.
I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit, who uses me in spite of my flaws.
You see, today I was not feeling myself as I preached. My thoughts were not clear and I felt like I was "babbling on". However, this is where my observation comes in.
Even when we are not at our best, God can still work. I talked to a few people after the service who felt God speaking to them. "Were they listening to the same sermon I was delivering?"
I am pretty sure that my message was not that great. So here it is - when the Holy Spirit moves it is not because we are so good, it is because the people are listening.
I am so thankful for our congregation. I know that they are listening to what God has for them and this church in Sundre.
I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit, who uses me in spite of my flaws.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Elders Retreat
Hmmmm. Is it Saturday already?
It is amazing how quickly time flies when you are having fun.
One of the first tasks I was given when we came to McDougal Chapel 9 months ago was to be part of the planning of an Elders Retreat. It was kind of strange as I really did not know the men well and they were just waiting for direction. Not a good combination - eager men looking to follow a clueless pastor.
How can I lead a church when I did not even know where we were going?
During that first elders retreat I had one focus. We needed to learn to listen to the Lord. I remember it very clearly. I had tried my best to teach from the Gospel of Matthew and reinforce the need to "Seek God First and then all these things would be added unto you."
Than, as we sat around the table I hit a point where I did not know what to say next. I felt we needed to pray for each other. So we took turns sitting on a chair and having the rest of the Elders lay hands on them and pray for them. That we would all learn to listen to God.
As I look back, that first event was not planned well from a human perspective but it was perfect from God's. We were able to prepare our hearts as we attempted to listen to God. Then we were able to go in the direction that has been laid out for us.
Please pray for us as a leadership team. On February 27 and 28 we are going to have another elders retreat. We have two items on the agenda this time. One is the evaluation of the pastors and the elders. The second will be disclosed at a later time. All I can say is that it is very important.
Till next time...
It is amazing how quickly time flies when you are having fun.
One of the first tasks I was given when we came to McDougal Chapel 9 months ago was to be part of the planning of an Elders Retreat. It was kind of strange as I really did not know the men well and they were just waiting for direction. Not a good combination - eager men looking to follow a clueless pastor.
How can I lead a church when I did not even know where we were going?
During that first elders retreat I had one focus. We needed to learn to listen to the Lord. I remember it very clearly. I had tried my best to teach from the Gospel of Matthew and reinforce the need to "Seek God First and then all these things would be added unto you."
Than, as we sat around the table I hit a point where I did not know what to say next. I felt we needed to pray for each other. So we took turns sitting on a chair and having the rest of the Elders lay hands on them and pray for them. That we would all learn to listen to God.
As I look back, that first event was not planned well from a human perspective but it was perfect from God's. We were able to prepare our hearts as we attempted to listen to God. Then we were able to go in the direction that has been laid out for us.
Please pray for us as a leadership team. On February 27 and 28 we are going to have another elders retreat. We have two items on the agenda this time. One is the evaluation of the pastors and the elders. The second will be disclosed at a later time. All I can say is that it is very important.
Till next time...
Sunday, January 11, 2009
We are not Satisfied
As is customary with all our elders meetings (McDougal Chapel Spiritual Board) I get a chance to share with my fellow leaders the vision the Lord has laid on my heart. Here is the gist of our last elders meeting.
Here at McDougal Chapel we have seen some "success" (I use success delicately) as of late. However, since we are in the process of preparing for what the Lord has in store for us, we cannot sit back as admire what is going on.
As with any growing organization, we need to continually look for areas that might not be able to handle growth. We need to be ready for the people God is planning on entrusting us with. The question that needs to be constantly asked as we evaluate what we do at McDougal Chapel is, "What would break if we had 300 plus people next Sunday?"
That question scares me. I can identify many areas that could not handle that kind of growth. The elders agree.
We are planning an Elders retreat in late February that will address this very topic. We will prayerfully look at areas that need fine tuning here at McDougal. This fine tuning does not mean we are doing anything wrong, it simply means we want to get better at it.
What a privilege it is to serve the Lord. I am so thankful for our present elders board. They are supportive of Kyle (youth pastor) and myself. They are also willing to go where the Lord wants us to go.
What would break if we had 300 plus next Sunday? That seems like such a so far away when we are only having 135 - 150 people on a Sunday.
We can only be ready for what He has in store for us.
Blessings.
Here at McDougal Chapel we have seen some "success" (I use success delicately) as of late. However, since we are in the process of preparing for what the Lord has in store for us, we cannot sit back as admire what is going on.
As with any growing organization, we need to continually look for areas that might not be able to handle growth. We need to be ready for the people God is planning on entrusting us with. The question that needs to be constantly asked as we evaluate what we do at McDougal Chapel is, "What would break if we had 300 plus people next Sunday?"
That question scares me. I can identify many areas that could not handle that kind of growth. The elders agree.
We are planning an Elders retreat in late February that will address this very topic. We will prayerfully look at areas that need fine tuning here at McDougal. This fine tuning does not mean we are doing anything wrong, it simply means we want to get better at it.
What a privilege it is to serve the Lord. I am so thankful for our present elders board. They are supportive of Kyle (youth pastor) and myself. They are also willing to go where the Lord wants us to go.
What would break if we had 300 plus next Sunday? That seems like such a so far away when we are only having 135 - 150 people on a Sunday.
We can only be ready for what He has in store for us.
Blessings.
The Secret to Contentment
We had a great time in church this morning. There was just a good spirit in the congregation.
There are some weeks, where you go to preach and the eyes looking back at you are tired. I really saw this following Christmas. But today the eyes were very encouraging.
I got to share from the Book of James about how the destination of our faith is to be perfect and complete - lacking nothing (James 1:4). This may seem like something out of a motivational speakers speech but really it is what we as believers should be striving for. We should be content is all circumstances.
The key to achieving this is found in the following few verses (James 1:5-12). Have faith in God (5-8), have a hope that extends past this earth (9-11), and Love God (12).
Of course on a Sunday Morning this message was expounded on and illustrated. If you, the reader, wants to find these points for yourself, the passages I used are as listed above.
This journey that we are on (it is called life) is the only one we get. As a pastor, my desire for the congregation is to see them move towards the goal of "lacking nothing" as James puts it. That is true contentment in life. That is what we all, whether we admit it or not, really want.
There are some weeks, where you go to preach and the eyes looking back at you are tired. I really saw this following Christmas. But today the eyes were very encouraging.
I got to share from the Book of James about how the destination of our faith is to be perfect and complete - lacking nothing (James 1:4). This may seem like something out of a motivational speakers speech but really it is what we as believers should be striving for. We should be content is all circumstances.
The key to achieving this is found in the following few verses (James 1:5-12). Have faith in God (5-8), have a hope that extends past this earth (9-11), and Love God (12).
Of course on a Sunday Morning this message was expounded on and illustrated. If you, the reader, wants to find these points for yourself, the passages I used are as listed above.
This journey that we are on (it is called life) is the only one we get. As a pastor, my desire for the congregation is to see them move towards the goal of "lacking nothing" as James puts it. That is true contentment in life. That is what we all, whether we admit it or not, really want.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Sermon Series
Today I began work on a new sermon series here at McDougal Chapel.
Actually, last week Pastor Kyle (youth pastor) kicked off the series. We have called the series "Where the Rubber Meets the Road." It is a look at the book of James.
Last week Kyle started the series by speaking on the "vehicle" we can all have for the journey we call life. That vehicle is faith in Jesus Christ.
This next week I will be looking at James 1:2-23 and speak about the destination for that vehicle. Each one of us with faith in Jesus Christ, can be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. The NIV calls this Spiritually Mature.
For the next 13 weeks (give a take one or two) we will explore what it takes to be Spiritually Mature - really this is where the Rubber Meets the Road.
Actually, last week Pastor Kyle (youth pastor) kicked off the series. We have called the series "Where the Rubber Meets the Road." It is a look at the book of James.
Last week Kyle started the series by speaking on the "vehicle" we can all have for the journey we call life. That vehicle is faith in Jesus Christ.
This next week I will be looking at James 1:2-23 and speak about the destination for that vehicle. Each one of us with faith in Jesus Christ, can be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. The NIV calls this Spiritually Mature.
For the next 13 weeks (give a take one or two) we will explore what it takes to be Spiritually Mature - really this is where the Rubber Meets the Road.
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