One Vision

We were on another school campus this morning with
breakfast for their teachers. I was able to hear

conversations about the orientation the night before, preparations for students arriving on Friday, technology issues, and certification for coaching. No one was bothered by what needed to be done, but were focused and anticipatory about the upcoming year. There was a palpably strong bond in the staff as they look forward to the challenges and successes of the upcoming school year. Their passionate enthusiasm centered around the bond of unity. They will excel this year as they strive forward together with the same vision as their aim.

The strength of any team is found in their unity toward a common goal. 

Back to School

I always experience a bit of nostalgia this time of year as the school year gets started. It reminds me of my days teaching high school and how much I enjoyed the camaraderie of the staff gathering back together after the long summer. There were always new faces of enthusiastic new teachers ready to change the world as well as the seasoned veterans buckling in for another year of influence and education. We would exchange hugs, handshakes, and slaps on the back as we talked about our summer adventures and learning experiences. There was excitement in the air as we anticipated great things in the coming year with the exhaustion from the end of the previous year temporarily forgotten in the past.

I found myself watching the first faculty meeting of a local high school from a short distance this morning as all of these thoughts rolled through my mind. I was excited for them and the new challenges their students would bring. There will be great triumphs this year for them and also great disappointments. They will have powerful opportunities to shape young lives and open up minds to new possibilities. These educators will have unique moments to provide encouragement and speak positive truth.

My prayer for all of our teachers and staff is that they would remember the value of what they are doing as the invest in this generation. I pray that they would recognize the power of influence and know that success is not always immediately measurable. I pray that they would stay focused on doing what is right even when it is difficult and would maintain their commitment to their calling. I pray that they would strive to understand the stories of their students and know that the issues they see on the surface reflect a complicated and sometimes difficult life. I pray for patience, understanding, and insight that helps when circumstances are difficult.

Their calling is a noble and difficult one and they have my highest respect for their daily efforts and investment. Thank you teachers and staff for your sacrifices and willingness to make a difference in our youth. Your impact is greater and longer lasting than you can imagine.

Power

A large part of what I do involves written and spoken word. I communicate daily through my blog and have significant conversations each week with people in need. Of course I also have the tremendous opportunity to teach hundreds of people frequently on Sundays as well. Fortunately, I understand how powerful those words are and the incredible trust I have been given to share them in the most influential way.

Recognizing that I need to be careful with my use of words has taken time. It's been a difficult lesson that has been taught through failure and collateral damage. I still don't always get it right, but my respect for the immense power of my speech and written word has increased tremendously as I have matured. Imagine the positive difference we would see in our culture if would carefully weigh each opportunity to communicate.

Teachable Moments

You can't expect what hasn't been taught. 

I use this phrase quite often when people put expectations on others who don't know any better. It is a challenging statement meant to remind us that there is often a genuine lack of knowledge in our population. It isn't always an indication of complete ignorance, but instead highlights a need for education. It is a challenge to those with experience and maturity to invest in the people who are desperate for direction. There is an obvious spiritual element to this, but it also spills over into all areas of life. Instead of ranting about the problems we see this should motivate us to be part of the solution. Christian married couples should find a younger couple to mentor, older husbands & fathers should look for younger men to invest in, mature women should seek out women in need of direction and support, and experienced leaders should discover inexperienced leaders to develop. Educating others with grace, patience, and compassion should be a common calling of a Christ follower. A transformed community is best accomplished through the power of mutual investment, shared stories, and dedicated concern for others.

If we aren't willing to be part of the solution and share the life lessons we have painstakingly learned, then we forfeit the right to complain about the problem.

10 Years

This year marks a decade since I transitioned into full-time ministry from the high school level. In fact, I have now spent more years as a pastor than I did as a teacher/athletic trainer. While I couldn't possibly do justice to a comprehensive list, there are several things that I have learned in the last ten years:

• You have to work just as hard to maintain your own spiritual relationship while working in ministry as you do out of it.
• I was working as a pastor and caring for people on a deeper level long before I ever figured out my calling.
• Just because I accepted my calling as a pastor doesn't mean I won't miss what I left behind.
• The biggest focus for athletic trainers is in the prevention of injuries even while we respond to the immediate hurt in front of us. Working in ministry isn't that different. We strive to lead people to Christ and equip them for ministry in hopes of preventing personal catastrophe even as life calls us to step into the midst of tragedy and triumph.
• Working in the church is the hardest thing I have ever done--no doubt about it.
• I have to work to intentionally protect my family as they will endure harsher scrutiny in the ministry than anywhere else but perhaps politics.
• The satisfaction of seeing lives committed to Christ, miraculous healing taking place, relationships restored, and incredible acts of generosity is greater than I could ever have imagined.
• Even though I have come so far in my own journey with Christ there is still so much more room for growth than I originally envisioned.
• You have to intentionally create your own rest opportunities in ministry as there are no complete down times. If you don't honor the Sabbath (no matter what day of the week it needs to be) you won't be sustainably effective.
• No matter how much satisfaction I took out of my former career (and it was a large amount), leading a church is what I was created & called to do. 

I clearly see how God has been preparing me for this journey my entire life. I am thankful that He is patient with me and continues to mold me for what He has in store next. I am also forever grateful for those that have influenced & invested in me over the last ten years. I'm eagerly anticipating what comes next. 

Three Voices, One Message

We had a three-headed message at Northridge today as our entire teaching team shared the Thanksgiving sermon. It was the first time all three of us had taught at the same time and it seemed to be well received by all. I enjoy it when we do things similar to this (Mike & I have taught this way several times over the last four years) as it presents a different challenge as a teacher, but also gives some insight into the relationship of the team. We get a chance to banter back & forth with some planned (and unplanned) conversational give and take while sharing Scriptural truth. It's also a way to break down some barriers between the congregation and our pastoral staff while stretching us as communicators. Hopefully this approach keeps people engaged at a deeper level as we keep the pace moving. It reflects one of our core values of teaching: to do whatever it takes short of sin to communicate the truth of Christ and see
transformed lives.

Quiet Time

I am an outspoken, (mostly) extrovert that loves to talk with people and share ideas. I want to hear people's stories and know what inspires them and gives them the strength to keep moving forward. I was born to

teach and thrive on the opportunity to share fundamental truths and see people's lives changed. I love getting a cup of coffee and investing in another life or just simply sharing life together. I love talking with my wife and sharing dreams and pushing each other to grow as we seek God's vision for our families.

As much as I love to talk and share there are also times when words are tiring and the effort (especially at the end of a long day of talking) is just too much. It's reminds me of my need to pull back and be quiet so that I can recharge. It's why my relationship with my wife is so vital to me--not only do we share everything with each other, but we also share silence as we simply sit in each other's company. It's a good thing that works well for her too.