Cell Group Ministries

I am using this blog space to share the great ministry experiences that I and others have been involved in with Cell Group Ministries.

Let me start by stating some of the major lessons:

1. Not everyone is able to be in such a relational, community-based movement.
2. God is in it and that is affirmed by some of the negative and constant criticism.
3. Cell Ministries requires a Vision from leadership to be shared with those who are able to share that vision with the leaders of a given ministry.
4. You can't jump into Cell Ministries; it is a development, not an instant ministry.
5. It is not a replacement for programs; it is, in fact, a holistic ministry that requires the dedication, gifts, and personal involvement of every member of a cell.
6. The leader is merely a facilitator, not a director.
7. The 2 MAJOR GOALS of cell group mistries are 1) Develop Leaders 2) Multiply Groups. (DO NOT CREATE CLIQUES, BE PREPARED TO MULTIPLY AND SEPARATE WITHIN 1 or 2 years. {BUY THE BOOK!)
8. Cell Group Meetings are broken into four parts, not always done in the same order:

1. Welcome 2. Worship 3. Word 4. Witness
I could list others, but I won't for now.

I passionately believe in the perfection and Authentic Christian Community of this ministry. If you are interested, you can begin by looking at www.touchusa.org and purchase the book "Making Cell Groups Work." READ THE BOOK and use its advice and wisdom. There are over 30 years of experience from Ralph Neighbour Jr. on the subject of cell ministries and you will greatly benefit from his team and their written wisdom.

For now, I have decided to share our weekly Cell Group Agendas. You are welcome to print them and use them in your own groups.

Two Important Tips:

1. It is crucial that your church pastor, leader, minister, Corps Officer (whatever you call him, her or both) have a vision for this ministry. Without that support, you will be spinning wheels.

2. It is also crucial that you are involved in a weekly congregational celebration of worship. Cell groups that have left this very important part of sharing their praise and worship in honor of God, with a congregational body of believers have met the fate of cell group death. Congregational worship shows your cell group that God is bigger than your group.

Here is the Cell Agenda for January 1, 2006: Again, don’t just start a cell group. Purchase “Making Cell Groups Work,” do research on other cell model ministries, but don’t try to copy them, visit other cell churches and get the experience with a vision team.

If you have any questions, write me at captain_gainey@yahoo.com

Grace and peace,
Johnny

Cell Agenda for week of January 1, 2006 by Captain Jonathan Gainey, The Salvation Army, Charlotte, NC

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Theme: Giving is not a gift.

WELCOME

Is there anyone here who gives to people because you love to help people in need? How do you feel when you give to someone who truly needs what you have given him or her?


WITNESS
Have someone read Matthew 6:2-4.
After the Scripture reading say to your group: Remembering that giving without expecting recognition is a godly way of giving. (Paraphrase to sound as natural as possible.

This Sunday is the start of a brand new year. For those of you, who have never been able to share your monetary treasures with the Church for the ministry of God to be done, then make this a resolution to begin trusting God with a percentage of what He gives you. Through giving to the ministry of your Savior through your church you will begin to experience the obedience of sharing God’s wealth with the world, as well as receiving the added blessing of showing immeasurable gratitude to God for His gifts to you.

WORSHIP
To begin worship, place a pillow on the floor in a room large enough to have everyone sit in a semi-circle with the pillow as if the pillow were part of the circle, not in the middle of the circle. This pillow represents the place where Christ is sitting with you and listening to you as you pray.

Sing a song of Thanksgiving and then pray for Christ to make each of you people who give gladly. Also pray and thank God for His wisdom and our privilege of supplying the needs of the world through His church.

WORD
It would probably surprise you to know that there is no word in Hebrew for charity. The Hebrew word tzedakah, often used in connection with charitable giving, only means justice and righteousness. It is not a gift that you give to the poor, but rather the fulfillment of an obligation.
God gives to you and you must give to others. You are the medium for the proper management of God’s wealth here on Earth. And if you won’t do it right, the rabbis teach, God will find another “messenger” to help him distribute his funds to the needy. That’s why it has been said that beggars don’t take; they demand alms as if they were collecting a debt.
There is a Jewish story that says when the pauper came to the rich man and was told by the rich man that he would receive nothing because the rich man had a bad year, the pauper’s response was, “I don’t understand—why does your bad year mean I should suffer?”
The poor are always to be taken care of, according to the Will, Word, and Laws of God.

Someone Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

1. Does God give to those of us who have so that we can be generous?
2. Does our giving supply the needs of God’s people and offer as an expression of gratitude to God?
3. Why do you think Paul needed to remind the people of Corinth to be gracious givers who share their wealth with the poor?
4. Do you know Christians who have a difficult time realizing that they are earning money for more than just their own families?
5. What are some good ways to create a habit of sharing our wages with the poor, which will include being held accountable to give without reluctance?
6. Is there anyone here who needs to begin sharing his or her monetary treasures in this New Year so that God’s resources can be used to help more people who are in need?

After this question, have people break into groups of two (three if there is one person left without another to create a couple) and pray for each other to begin giving, so that God’s work can be done through His church.

LEADER’S MINUTE:
This is a time for the leader to remind everyone of any upcoming events or ministries.
Remember: it is important to share in life outside of the cell group meeting. You may want to plan a movie night, go out to dinner or something during the week.

Tip: Do not allow your meeting to go longer than an hour and a half. This will create the feeling that people are leaving before they're ready to leave, which will make them look forward to coming back next week. (Advice from Dr. Kennon Callahan)

NOTE: Cell Groups are not readily accepted by highly traditional Christians; some may try to turn it into a program instead of a holistic community of ministering ministers.

Write me at captain_gainey@yahoo.com. I will respond quickly to any questions. Respectfully written criticisms will be respectfully read and appreciated. Thank you and God bless your ministry.

A Face in the Toilet

When I had the flu a few months ago and found myself with my head in the toilet, no one would have blamed me. Vomiting is pure misery and putting my face in the toilet is considered normal in our culture.

Now that I’ve experienced putting my face in a toilet, I actually look forward to getting the flu and I do nothing to prevent it. I don’t avoid people who have the flu. I don’t wash my hands when I leave a doctor’s office or hospital. I don’t eat well or dress warm in the winter. I have even considered ordering some influenza just for those boring days when there’s nothing better to do than stick my face in the toilet.

You probably think I’m kidding and you’re right. No one looks forward to sticking his or her face in the “underwater waste basket.” And anyone who does needs some serious therapy.

Shouldn’t we hold people accountable for recognizing the difference between needs and dependence? There are so many people who appear to love being sick. They don’t plan their lives; they don’t budget their money; they don’t invest in personal education. In short, they don’t make life happen; they accept whatever it gives.

It makes a lot more sense for us to teach people how to prevent the flu, than to show them where all the toilets of life can be found.

My name is Johnny and I am your friend.

The claws of Katrina

Katrina has clawed her mark on Biloxi, Mississippi.

Today, I was driving through Biloxi, near the beach, and as I looked all around at the houses that were no longer livable, as well as the many other signs of Katrina's warpath, the understanding of the forces that caused the damage came to my mind in a very clear and strange way.

I recognized that the two most indispensable, life-giving elements of the earth are also the two most destructible forces--air and water.

Just like parents, these two life-givers have the ability to nurture, feed, and develop, as well as serve as the most destructible influences ever encountered.

Those affected by Katrina live with tormenting memories of pain and loss. Just like the devastated neighborhoods of Biloxi, they will never completely forget the misery that forged its fury in their eyes; its slouch in their shoulders; its scars on their bodies; its trenches in their spirits.

For those who don't have the resources, tools, and support to recover, the damage will never be repaired; much of it will survive as a haunting memory; very little will find its way out of their minds.

Restoration is required, encouragement is essential, and the need for hope is immeasurable for those who have experienced the claws of Katrina.

Grace and peace,
Johnny

Familiarity Breeds Reality

Have you ever spent so much time beating yourself up that you just didn't have time to fight anything else? I've learned that personal punishment is just another form of pride. It is an internal battle brought on by a desire to be something I wish I was, but will never be; it is a selfish retaliation directed at placing myself in a mould of which I was never created to fit. Wouldn't it be great if we really could make everyone like us? Wouldn't it be wonderful if nothing we did was unacceptable? What if we could make everyone think we were the greatest person on earth? We can...as long as we never allow anyone to really know us. There is a saying that is way over used and, as I have thought it over, completely wrong. The quote is, "Familiarity breeds comtempt." This is usually used in the context of leaders and followers, pastors and parishioners, employer and employee relationships, who are concerned about people not obeying them. I use to think this was true. Now I realize that familiarity doesn't breed contempt; familiarity breeds reality. In other words, when you or I get to know someone on more than a professional level, we learn who a person really is. So, developing a familiarity with those who lead us actually gives us the opportunity to truly decide if the person is worth following. I think that's why some people have such a problem with my ability to lay it all on the line. I don't keep many secrets. Why should I? I have nothing to hide. And if you don't like me or want to follow my lead once you truly know me, well, more power to you. When I really know me, I don't want to follow myself half the time. But for those who know me best, you know that I am always working on getting better. I think that's true about most people. Grace and peace, Johnny

A New Day With New Challenges

This day is a new day. I've never lived this day before and I'm excited about it. Life is good and it's nice to know, after all the years that have passed from the day of creation, that there is still a lot to look forward to, live for, and be challenged by.

The poet Les Murray said, "Impossibility is the only door that opens." I love it when people put unthinkable simplicity into words.

Grace and peace,
Johnny

Face Down on the Road

Last night I had a dream that a man was beaten for his watch. He didn’t die, but he was completely paralyzed and unable to hold up his head. An investigator or police officer tickled his neck, and the man laughed so hard that he fell over in his wheelchair and landed on his face in the middle of the street. The officer picked him up by carefully balancing his head in one hand, while using his other hand to pick up the wheelchair.

I’m not sure what the dream meant or if it even has a meaning. I also find it ironic that this dream has inspired me to blog today after my last blog, “Emotional Wheelchair.”

In life, we often find ourselves unable to understand our dreams. We also find real life to be just as surreal, and confusing.

Lately life has taken me around sharp turns and deep valleys. I’m not sure what makes me look for the least paved track. As one writer said, “If you find yourself on a clear path, you’re probably on someone else’s.” I don’t want to be on someone else’s path.

God made me who I am in order to do what He is calling me to do. Paths can be painful places to clear out—briars, snakes, poison ivy, et cetera. But that’s ok, if the goal is to get to the other side of the woods, where God’s words are waiting… “Well done!” You can finish the Scripture.

I’m not sure why life gets so confusing and can even appear to be without rational meaning. But I do know that we all need friends to help pick us up when we're face down in the road or the path we're clearing needs a couple extra machete slingers.

Emotional Wheelchair

These last two weeks have allowed me to ponder the damage that life brings to each of us. In your life and in mine, we encounter pain that comes at varying degrees and affects varying parts of who we are.

A physical pain can cause us to simply say, “Hey, watch it!” or it can cause so much trauma that it paralyzes a section of the body for life.

I believe that we also suffer in varying degrees of pain in emotional and spiritual areas. For instance, a person can do or say something that hurts our feelings a little or they can damage our spirit so deeply that we experience an incurable paralysis deep in the mind and heart. The pain that a person suffers following deep emotional trauma requires an emotional wheelchair. The emotional wheelchair is not a bad thing, instead, it is a tool that gives him or her the ability to live again. Just as someone who spends life in a physical wheelchair, but learns to smile, play, and enjoy life, but is never again able to walk on his or her own, the emotional wheel chair is always attached to the emotions.

In many cases emotional paralysis affects a person from the insecurity down and no matter how hard that person works to allow their trust to walk again, they are never without the tools that they have learned to use in order to compensate for the genuine, wheelchair-free trust that he or she once was able to experience.

Paul told us that he suffered from something that God refused to take away. I believe he neglected to tell us exactly what that was for the simple reason that the details are irrelevant. Whether you and I are attacked physically, spiritually, or emotionally, there will always be varying degrees of trauma. But, in each case we are able to adapt to the tools required in order to begin living again, though living again may require a life spent in an emotional wheelchair.

Revolutionaries Amnesty Box and Direct Orders

Revolutionaries! Fall in!

You are standing at the position of attention, so seal your lips and open your ears!

This is your time to get rid of any and all lukewarm, baby-bottle feeding, sorry excuse for a child of God, complacent Christian contraband.

Amnesty time has begun, the box is open, and you are welcome to toss out your air condition-loving, desk job having, garrison-living, class A uniform and suit up in full battle dress gear.

Before you hit the battlefield, I have a few orders that are not options, unless you want to put your hands back in the amnesty box and trade in your BDUs for a starched shirt, pressed pants, black tie, patent leather shoes, and a shiny belt buckle. That desk chair is still comfy, and the air conditioner is nice and cool.
Otherwise, quit your whining and listen up!

There is no option for any of us to be timid or indecisive. We must be definite in our approach, firm in our purpose, and relentless in pursuit of fulfilling the mission. The battle is not pretty, nor is it a place for the spiritually lame or sleepy-eyed!

Here are the Captain's orders for The Salvation Army’s Revolutionaries:

No longer are we permitted to desire comfort rather than connection.
No longer are we permitted to be satisfied with the status quo.
No longer are we permitted to attach strings to our commitments and covenants.
No longer are we permitted to hope others will come, while we are ordered to go.
No longer are we permitted to withhold spiritual gifts as though they are ours to hold.
No longer are we permitted to enable the weak to remain weak.
No longer are we permitted to wait and hope that God will do our jobs of encouraging believers and advancing the Kingdom.
No longer are we permitted to serve when we feel up to it.
No longer are we permitted to feed on God’s feast, while others are allowed to starve.
No longer are we permitted to worship traditions.
No longer are we permitted to prevent people from experiencing the spiritual presence of Christ.
No longer are we permitted to cower before legalism and ritual.
No longer are we permitted to tiptoe with the Word of God.
No longer are we permitted to starve our minds of deeper understanding in the Word.
No longer are we permitted to accept slow death in the church, rather than actively pursue transformation.
No longer are we permitted to gossip and slander our brothers and sisters.
No longer are we permitted to hate the sinner, rather than the sin.
No longer are we permitted to choose which sinners we will love and share Christ with.
No longer are we permitted to live life outside deep and meaningful connections with God, saints, and sinners.
No longer are we permitted to do because we’ve always done.
No longer are we permitted to allow racism and prejudice.
No longer are we permitted to retire.
No longer are we permitted to privatize our walk with Christ.
No longer are we permitted to steal from God.
No longer are we permitted to lower the standards of being a Christian.
No longer are we permitted to set our own rules and agendas.
No longer are we permitted to discourage the laughter and noise of children.
No longer are we permitted to deny our leaders the right to lead.
No longer are we permitted to ignore social injustice around the world.
No longer are we permitted to quench the spirit.
No longer are we permitted to expect recognition.
No longer are we permitted to make prayer an option.
No longer are we permitted to only talk to God, and never take the time to listen.
No longer are we permitted to be weekend warriors.
No longer are we permitted to be a stumbling block.
No longer are we permitted to be perfectionists in our ministries.
No longer are we permitted to whine and complain.
No longer are we permitted to compromise our witness.
No longer are we permitted to place our names on plaques and take ownership of God’s accomplishments.
No longer are we permitted to reject homosexuals, prostitutes, prisoners, and the insane.
No longer are we permitted to bless in the light and curse in the dark.
No longer are we permitted to worship God less than every minute of every day.
No longer are we permitted to trust God as a last resort or a second option.
No longer are we permitted to separate God from family, friends, work, school, and entertainment.
No longer are we permitted to waiver in our faith.
No longer are we permitted to be accountable to no one.
No longer are we permitted to put God in a box or a building.
No longer are we permitted to replace the gospel of Jesus with the gospel of church-growth.
No longer are we permitted to feed the hungry, visit prisoners, and clothe the naked with pious words and fancy prayers.
No longer are we permitted to offer ministry as long as it doesn't cost anything.
Finally, no longer are we permitted to accept temporary orders. "We'll fight to the very end!"

For those of you who choose to get rid of your ironing board and cuff-links, grab your ruck, boots, and camo! You are chosen!

REVOLUTIONARIES!
On the command to fall out, grab your gear and hit the battle field!
FALL OUT!
The Amnesty box is set to self-destruct in five minutes.

Is a Congregation an Exclusive Love Club?

I have recently been pondering the phrase, “Love your people.” This phrase is often used as a directive to measure the effectiveness of being a Corps Officer.

Let’s break down this directive.


LOVE: The first assumption for most people who use this word in this particular phrase is that every person is to be loved the same way. To love everyone the same way would be less than productive, because not everyone feels loved by the same approach. For instance, I have three sons and each one feels loved through a different love language, borrowing from Dr. Gary Chapman.
One of my children is annoyed by kisses and hugs, while another would feel unloved without that kind of physical touch. One child desperately needs a lot of quality time spent with him, while another would feel smothered.

YOUR: The assumption here is that we have people. This is the result of the exclusivism that has permeated evangelical congregations as a marketing strategy used, not to build up the Kingdom, but rather to build up my church.

I don’t have a church and neither does anyone else.
In fact, there is only one church. We are all simply parts of the worldwide church of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I don’t have any people that are separated for me to love. To love my people would be to claim the existence of us verses them, when obviously Jesus Christ calls us to be a we. The people whom I minister with are just a small part of all the people that I am to love, which is also only a small part of the Christian people that I am to love, to say nothing of the non-Christians that I am to love.

PEOPLE: People are people no matter what semantics someone tries to muster up. People are those whom we like and those whom we don’t. People are the lost and the found; they are the hurting and the whole.

I have nothing against loving people; I do love people. But I’m not going to think so small as to believe that God has directed me to a group of people of which I am to treat as though they belong to me and whom I am to love more than others. The people in the corps are God’s people, As the Corps Officer, I am to train and equip them, as servants of the King, to do the will of Jesus Christ, not treat them like an exclusive love club.

I truly hope that no one thinks that I am his or her people. If someone does, then I want to let you know that I belong to God alone.

The directives that are used to measure the ministry of Corps Officers are the same directives that measure the ministry of all Christians. Jesus doesn’t use different directives for different ministries. It is true that Paul teaches in 1 Timothy, chapter three of a more stringent measurement for those who choose to be a leader, but he doesn't teach that Christ uses a different set of directives.

The directives are laid out in Scripture for all to see and learn. These directives began in Exodus 20 and ended at the end of Leviticus, numbering 613 directives in all. Later, Jesus reduced those 613 directives down to 12.

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall make no idols.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath.
5. Honor your parents.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not slander.
10. You shall not covet.
(Exodus 20:3-17 and Deuteronomy 5:7-21)


11. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
12. Love your neighbor as yourself.
(Matthew 22:37-39, which is Jesus quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18)

The twelfth directive is the only one, which could cause some to be misdirected, should he or she misinterpret the text. But surely all Christians understand that your neighbor does not refer exclusively to the people who live next door to me or who share the same worship address.

So what about this “Love your people" directive?
I can’t seem to find where we are told to, “Love Your People.” This directive would actually seem to be in opposition to Scripture.

“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.” James 2:1 (NIV)

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” Matthew 5:46-47 (NIV)

I believe that “Love your people” comes to the lips before it passes over the Scriptures and/or the mind. If we are going to use the directive of loving people as a measurement for our Christian leaders, then it should be stated as "Love All People." This directive is certainly more Biblical and Scriptural; it is also more inclusive and empowering.

I certainly can’t justify loving my people as a measurement for my effectiveness as a Christian or a leader. But I can definitely say with a clear conscience that I, as all Christians, am to love all people.

Congregations are not exclusive love clubs!

My name is Johnny and I am your friend.

Peace and Grace to you.

"Are you a rebellious, lazy, non-Bible reading, come to church to 'Be Fed,' luke-warm, 'Wanna-Be' Christian?"

I am currently taking a class at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary called "Christian Ethics Today." In this class the question has come up as to the liesure time of pastors and is it ok for a "Pastor" to play golf or go fishing or whatever and if so how often should this be allowed?

Here is my response. I thought you may enjoy this, especially if you know me and my passion for understanding "TRUE LEADERSHIP."

To start off, a student responded to one of my posts on the Seminary Blackboard email sight by agreeing with me that pastors should be encouraged to have a hobby and take time to relax. But my concern was with his definition of a Pastor and the role of a Pastor.

So, here is my response:

Thank you for concurring with me. However, I do see a danger in your definition of Pastor. It's not that you are wrong, especially considering the modern use of the word Pastor. The problem is mostly in the expectations of the role of the Pastor.

If a pastor is to "escape in a boat to the middle of the lake," then the pastor is also going to have to know his or her true role and so is the congregation. In John 21:15-17 we read the story of Jesus telling Peter to "feed His sheep." It is true that Jesus uses words that elude to feeding, but they don’t actually mean feed in the way you and I in the church assume the word implies. For instance, in verse 15 the NIV records Jesus as saying “Feed my Sheep.” A more accurate translation would be “Graze my lambskins.” Graze doesn’t mean feed as much as it means allow eating.

The shepherd didn’t feed sheep in Jesus day any more than they do today; sheep are led to pasture in order to feed themselves. The shepherd is more like a maître d' who guides the customer to a table and a lot less like a mother holding a bottle in her baby's mouth.

The second thing is that in verse 16 Jesus doesn’t say “Graze my lambskins.” Instead he says, “Shepherd my sheep.” The word used for shepherd is translated in the NIV as “take care of.” You have to ask, how does a shepherd take care of sheep? Again the answer is by allowing them to eat.

Finally in verse 17 Jesus says, “Graze my sheep.” He is saying allow them to eat. Ultimately Jesus is saying to Peter, “If you love me, as a leader of my people, you will make sure that my followers are eating.” Placing all three of these directives from Jesus to Peter you would hear, “Peter, if you love me, then allow my lambskins to gain nutrition, guide my sheep to the pasture, and allow my sheep to eat.”

Here is where the second important question comes in to play. That question is, “What do sheep eat?” Well the literal sheep eat the green grass of the pastureland that they are guided to by the shepherd. So, what do the metaphorical sheep of God’s flock eat? What is the literal food of God’s literal flock? The answer is found in what Christ says he, as the spotless lamb, eats.

The answer is found in John Chapter 4. This is the story of Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman by Jacob’s well. His disciples have gone into town to buy food and upon their return they find Jesus talking with a Samaritan woman, a forbidden act for any Jew. And in verse 31 they urge Jesus to eat something; they then think he has eaten because he told them that he has food that they know nothing about and in verse 34 we learn what God’s children are suppose to eat.

Jesus tells us what God's flock are to eat when he says, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.” God’s people are led by their leaders or "Pastors" to do the will of the Father.

Knowing this, we should also remember that none of us are more full-time than anyone else. Whether our ordination of Christ is affirmed by a seminary, training college staff, or anyone else, we are all "called" to full-time ministry. And whether we serve full-time for Christ or full-time for someone or something else (Not Christ), we all serve full-time in a ministry.

The problem is that in our modern day definition of "Pastor," we have been led to believe that anyone who is not an "ORDAINED" pastor or member of church staff is not in full-time ministry.

Chip Ingram said that his church is full of full-time ministers who pose in the world as school teachers, lawyers, computer techs, cooks, garbage collectors, doctors, et cetera. When we allow people to think that the pastor is a full-time minister because he or she is a pastor, then we are indirectly saying that everyone else is not. We are all full-time ministers, some have been chosen to lead, while others are chosen to follow the leader. And in the truest defintion of a leader, a real leader will lead from behind.

As Fred Smith says, "We pay our pastor to put us to work. If we aren't working, then we aren't getting our money's worth out of the pastor." Therefore, none of us is more or less deserving of family time or private, liesure time than any other member of the body of Christ. Nor is any member of the body less accountable for their own full-time ministry. And we all are FULL-TIME ministers.

I'd like to close by adding that you don't have to be a leader to be a full-time minister; you don't have to be a "Pastor" or an Officer to be "In the Ministry," and you don't have to be formally "ORDAINED" to be affirmed by Christ that you are ALL CALLED to serve as FULL-TIME ministers of Jesus Christ. No one is merely a recipient of the labor of full-time ministers, except for those who have yet to give his or her life to Christ, do not have the Spirit living within him or her, and, therefore, have not received his or her full-time ministry role in the body.

Anyone who calls his or herself a Christian, but who considers his or herself a part-time minister is only lying to his or herself and is indulging in the anti-Christian benefits of being a rebellious, lazy, non-Bible reading, come to church to "Be Fed," luke-warm, "Wanna-Be" Christian. And shame on the rest of us for personally financing his or her life-long vacation.

In the words of John Maxwell, having said all that, "My name is Johnny and I am your friend."

Blessings,
Johnny

The Curse!

I am looking for people who are looking to learn.

Nothing excites me more than the possibility of deepening my understanding of meaningful subjects. I often wonder how so many people have no desire to gain knowledge, wisdom, and new understanding.

It is true that a curse of the Protestant-Evangelical movement is that it is dominated by those who are anti-intellectual . For Christians who are less secure in their faith and understanding of all things Christian, there is a fear of losing one's own sense of authority when someone else gains intellectual insights that he or she does not have.

When I started going to seminary, I asked some folks to pray for me and I can easily recall the first response. "Don't get too smart to preach the Word!" a typical protestant-evangelical, anti-intellectual response.

Learning is critical to teaching!
Most English speaking Americans read the Bible as though someone who lives next door wrote it in 2005. Dr. Rick Lints, Professor of Theology says that reading a translation of the Bible is like kissing through a veil. There is something missing though it may be very slight. A more accurate understanding of the Scriptures is enhanced by insights on the context, culture, and study of the original languages and customs.

Christians, we need to be studying, learning, discussing (not arguing), and deepening our understanding of the Word of God. For those of you who refuse to recognize the value of Scripture, tradition, and reason, along with experience, stop relying on personal revelation alone as though it trumps corporate or Scriptural revelation.
You will often hear people who value only expereince say things like, "The Lord told me..." as though this "message from the Lord" outweighs what the Lord has told the church through Scripture or corporate experience. We argue because we rely on our own understanding, rather than the Spirit's revelation through Scripture, Reason, Tradition, and Experience. Either of these alone will mislead. If you don't believe that this can be a danger, then you need to drop by a Mormon temple, Muslim mosque, or even read about the Jonestown Massacre. All of these are and/or were movements based only on one person's personal revelation or "The Lord told me" message.

Jesus speaks to us in many ways, but He speaks in a manner that is worthy of His character and attributes and in connection with His written Word. To recognize false doctrine, false teaching, and false revelation you must study and rely on the truth of the Word (SCRIPTURE), be able to recognize authentic and genuine expressions of God within His people (EXPERIENCE), be able to use your mind individually and corporately to learn and mediatate on the things of God (REASON), and hold on to those things that bind Christians to Christ and one another for all ages past, present, and future (TRADITION).

Finally, don't be afraid to stand up or stand out. As long as you fear the ability to set higher standards for yourself, you will never be able to help others raise their own standards. We rely on those who raise the bar and are willing to share and challenge others to raise the bar for themselves.

STUDY! STUDY! STUDY! There are people whose eternity will depend on your ability to help them understand.

Many blessings,Johnny

A Private Conversation

I found myself in an odd situation this past Sunday. The sermon that I preached was very personal and had a strange impact on me. This was such an occasion of preaching where I found myself having a deep discussion with Jesus, while the conversation doubled as a sermon for the congregation.

In fact, I found that this talk with Jesus served as a bit of a healing moment for me. I hope this doesn’t sound as though I didn’t prepare for the congregation. The truth is, when I wrote the sermon, I had no idea that it would produce such a personal, therapeutic energy when delivered on Sunday.

The congregation was smaller than usual, due to Women’s Camp, and this, somehow, gave me the comfort to share private parts of my life that I rarely share.

Some of you who are partners with me at Charlotte Temple commented on how I was at the pulpit somewhere around 11:12 or 11:15 a.m. Someone said, "Unless Johnny gets long-winded, we will be finished by 11:30." On any other Sunday and with any other sermon I would say, “I was long-winded.” However, the conversation carried me away into a place that I’ve never found myself while preaching.

I found myself privately conversing with Jesus in the presence of many witnesses. Ironic!
Thank you Charlotte Temple for your gracious patience.

Signed,
Finally "Home"

I Have An Idea!

I have an idea! What's new, some of you may say. Well, lots. Today is new, the cloud I'm looking at right now is new and, Tilden and Stephanie getting married in a few hours is new. I am so honored to be in Charlotte as their corps officer during this wonderful occasion.

Anyway, back to my idea. Here's the idea...Let's all get along. Let's have fun as Christians and love each other and everyone else. That's it. That's my idea.

Blessings,
Pocket Johnny

Don't Tell Me what you THINK worship is.

What is worship?
Is it falling on my face before the Lord?
Is it giving myself to the Lord?
Is it listening to a sermon, singing songs, and hearing Scripture read?
Is it coming to church?
Is it Bible Study?
Is it thinking about God?

Don't tell me that it's all of these things, because it's not!

Worship is intimate connection with God. It is nothing more and nothing less than that.

Worship is not a one hour meeting on Sunday that includes all of the elements of a normal program.
Worship is not announcements, singing, sermons, or reading Scripture.

Don't try to convince me otherwise. I don't buy anything that has been passed down to Christians as part of an organized, programmed ritual being worship. All of the elements of Sunday are merely lures to worship, but not worship. They are means to an end, not an end in themselves. Worship is worship; singing is singing; sermons are sermons; Scripture reading is Scripture reading.

"Ezra opened the book in full view of everyone, because he was above them. As he opened it, all the people stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people held up their hands and said, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground." Nehemiah 8:5-6

Worship is an intimate connection with God!

Delta Force Looking for Aliens

Last Sunday night, I joined the amazing "Delta Force" in a mission at the Bus Station. The ministry that started with a bang is quickly evolving into possibly the most effective ministry of Charlotte Temple.
I found myself questioned by a Sheriff for over an hour, but not about legal issues. The sheriff was a man in his fifties, who told me that he had given up on religion a long time ago. He asked me questions about the Trinity, religion, differences between denominations, and his final question, “What do I think about space aliens?”

He told me that one of his coworkers at the police department calls him a “Son of Satan” because he believes that due to such a vast universe, he can’t believe that there isn’t more life out there. Instead of telling him how silly that was to think, I put my index finger on his chest and told him that he’s on to something! He looked shocked that I didn’t try to prove that there weren’t aliens somewhere out there. My approach was to tell him that he was created first of all to worship. And whether he chooses to worship God or something else, he will worship something. I then told him that he was given an innate sense of understanding that there is something bigger and greater than he or anything else even though he can’t see it. I explained that his secular, human side is trying to grasp on to something that will relieve the tension in his mind over the fact that he isn’t seeing it all. And in order to get some relief he is grasping on to whatever ideas the world can throw at him, whether it’s space aliens, big foot, or some other propaganda. The point is, I said, you’re searching and that’s good. Keep searching and you will find that the answer is Jesus Christ.

After our discussion, he said that this is the first time anyone has ever taken the time to answer his questions and he would love to ask me more. He had to go to work, but I gave him my email address, and I’ll probably see him again Sunday night.

After we gave out cocoa to dozens of wonderful, waiting people, and had many opportunities to share the gospel and give hugs, the Delta Force had a debriefing back at the parked van. We shared testimonies, praised God, encouraged each other and went home. Sounds a lot like church to me. I loved it!!!!!!!!!

This has definitely given me a jolt for the good and affirmed me in that there are other ministry opportunities that are incredibly effective outside the building.
Blessings,

Would Jesus have gone to Vietnam?

I was asked the following question and thought others may have a similar question or an interest in the answer. This is a great question.

Dear Captain Gainey,

I believe your sermon two weeks or so ago was along the lines of "Mind Matters". You spoke of various purposes of the time spent in the Holiness meeting and of worship time. (I wish I had written to you immediately after the meeting, so each of the points you raised was still fresh in my mind!)

Yet I do recall you speaking about study, reflections and questions. You caused me to think that this might be a good opportunity for me to ask a question of you that has long been on my mind. I've spent some time, as in years, refining some religious concerns and questions, discussing it with some friends and relatives, until I am left with this rather simple WWJD question:

Would Jesus have gone to Vietnam?
A. If Yes, why?
B. If No, why not?



The following is my response:

To answer your question, I took a couple of days to pray, reflect, study, and ask questions to people much more astute than I. Here is what I have gathered:

First of all, I think we both know the polity of the question and the obvious biases that can accompany such a request of theological understanding. With that said, I think it is safe to first recognize that this question is based on one of two roles that Jesus would play...is he a soldier or the President? This will make a huge difference in the direction of the answer given.

Let's first assume that Jesus is the soldier. As such, Jesus would have served proudly and gone to war. Why? Because the Word of God tells us that we are to obey the government and its authorities as God himself places all authority in position. "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except hat which God has established. God has established the authorities that exist. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Romans 13:1-2 (NIV)
Despite the unpopularity of the conflict, Jesus would have been a mighty, courageous, and obedient soldier, submissive to the governing authorities.

Jesus as the governing official responsible for sending troops into the conflict is another matter. This would be to claim one of two things...either to know the mind of God or to believe that we see the whole picture and understand everything that is happening in the world, good, bad, or otherwise.
King Saul was a terrible king for Israel; this did not stop God from allowing Saul to be king. In fact, David, knowing that Saul had serious sanity issues, would not allow anyone, including himself, to bring harm to the king whom God had anointed and placed in authority. But if God places all authority in their positions, then we, being humble pots, created by the Potter, must approach even the horrific circumstances of the world knowing that God sees the entire picture. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

We can't answer for Jesus what he would have done as President, after all, God did ordain war for the Israelites; war that seemed unfair and cruel. "When you go to war against your enemies...When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labor and shall work for you. If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city. When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder for yourselves...This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not belong to the nations nearby." (These are cities other than the Promised Land). Deuteronomy 20:1-15 (NIV)
"In the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them..." Deuteronomy 20:16-17 (NIV)

Conclusion:
Jesus is an obedient soldier.
Jesus is a just leader.
The world is a place of ironies and is anything but fair. That is not the fault of anything other than sin and the fallen state of man. A perfect world is God's idea; the privilege of making decisions is man's desire; it is that privilege that causes us to make ungodly decisions. However, we still must remember to approach all that we hear and see with humility, as we still don't see the whole picture, including the justification for Vietnam.

My prayer is that this has helped in some capacity.

Thank you for the question and for your desire to be a "Thinking Christian."

Blessings,
Johnny

Willie and Wilma

Genesis 1:26-27
Willee and Wilma

God created the world for His pleasure and purpose and for no other reason. God’s will brings about life and not only life, but also life that creates life. When God makes investments, His investments multiply. His creative attributes are added to His creation and therefore, all that He made, that is living, is given the ability to create as well.
So why doesn’t God just keep making things, rather than have the plants and animals multiply themselves? The answer is found in God’s purpose for creation. He created the world to do His will. God decided that He would allow the honor of His design and desires to be given to the world that He created.
As a child, I was given the honor of growing up in the home of my grandparents. My grandfather, whom my brothers and I affectionately and “southernly” called Papa (Paw Paw), was a hard worker. In fact, he worked even when others were willing to work for him. His lawn was always mowed with his own hands on the mower. He wouldn’t allow anyone to bring him anything including his supper or his cigarettes.
My brothers and I loved our Papa and we looked for any opportunity to do something that he wanted done in order to gain his appreciation. Every once in a while, he’d ask one of us to go to the truck and get his checkbook out of the glove box. I remember, as a little boy, how excited I was to have him ask me to do that and I’d run out to the truck, grab his checkbook and run back in the house with a big proud smile on my face.
My brothers and I looked forward to the next time he’d ask us to do something for him, because those opportunities were rare and we were always jealous of the one who was asked. Why were we jealous? Shouldn’t we be happy for the one who was given the opportunity to do something for our Papa? Jealousy is a strange feeling.
My brothers and I lived in a house that was bought to provide for the needs of my grandparents and we jealously wanted to be a part of those provisions. You and I live in the world that was created to do God’s will. Everything that we do should be done with the consideration of bringing the greatest amount of glory and joy to the Creator. And when you and I are given the opportunity to run out and do something, no matter how great or menial, it should be done with a big smile on our face.
When God decided that he would no longer allow the world to be empty and void, serving only as a playground for Satan, He decided to create it in such a way that He would require something to be in charge of it. If God’s will was going to get done, He wanted to give the honor of doing it to His creation. The “Willer” required a “Willee” and a Wilma. His Willee and Wilma were both created in His image. So what does that mean? What is an image?
To understand this, you have to understand what an image is for. There are a few ideas of what being created in the image of God means and here are a couple. Some say that it means we were created to look like God. In other words, we have ears, eyes, feet, and hands, and so on like God. However, the Bible tells us that God is Spirit.
Another assumption is that we were created with God’s attributes; the ability to talk, think, reason, and create.
The true meaning is found in the Bible’s examples of what images were used for. The Hebrew word for image is transliterated Tse-lem, which also means idol. When people worshiped idols, it was for one reason…to receive. People created idols in order to get something from them. They would go to them for fertility, good crops, healing, wisdom, direction, and/or protection from their enemies. The offense toward God of going to an idol is that only God makes idols and he made you to be His idol, not to make idols. God made you and me so that He could go to us and ask for His will to be done by us. When it comes to doing the will of God, God doesn’t allow His Willees and Wilmas to delegate to other idols. Willee and Wilma alone were given the privilege of mowing his lawn, serving His meals, and getting his checkbook from the truck.
God is a jealous God. He is a God that doesn’t take kindly to a stranger borrowing His Bride. You are loved and provided for by a God who thinks you are the greatest thing that ever happened to Him.
One of the funniest stories that my mother ever tells of my brothers and me with my Papa is about the time that we were all going to Germany to live while my Dad was in the U.S. Army. My twin brother and I were less than a year old and Papa didn’t want us to go, so after my mother got my brother and me all dressed up for the plane ride, while she was in the bathroom, getting herself ready, Papa sat the two of us on his lap and gave us coffee from a spoon. We loved his coffee because he always put lots of sugar and cream in it. When my mother came into the living room to gather us up, we had coffee all over our new outfits and she was livid. Papa was so jealous of us leaving that he tried desperately to keep us from going, even if it meant delaying our leaving just for a few minutes to change our clothes.
God is doing all he can to keep you from being taken far away from Him. He is offering you and me opportunity after opportunity to do His will. He comes to you as an idol to wash His people’s feet, to give His message to the world, to give Him joy and to bring him glory. When God comes to you to get His will done, He feels just like you did as a child, when someone you looked up to asked you to get his or her check book, or sit on their lap while they read you a bedtime story. You receive honor from doing it, and God is honored to give you the opportunity.
Tonight when you get ready for bed, after you’ve read God’s Word and spoken to Him, think about your day and ask yourself, “Did I do the will of my Savior today? “Were there any requests that Jesus came to me to fulfill that I didn’t run out and do with a smile?” When it comes to the will of Jesus Christ you and I are the Willees and Wilmas that bring Him joy. We are those who sit on his lap, sipping His coffee in our new outfits, while others are working hard to take us far away. Christ is jealously requesting your attention, your time, and your service.

Anyone looking for a wife?

How many of you have had someone set you up or have had someone offer to set you up? Well what if you decided that you would place the job of finding a wife for you. What if you gave them a clear outline of how to find you a wife and they took it, tweaked it, and delivered their strategy as follows:
First, we’re going to approach someone on the street, at work, or at school and ask her if she is a Gainey (using my own name. You’re welcome to replace Gainey with your own name). If she says no, we will invite her to a building where no one actually lives, but a place where Gaineys get together and talk about being Gaineys.
She’ll come to the building where she will walk through the front doors and be greeted by a friendly stranger who will hand her a type printed list of what the Gaineys will be doing for the next hour. After she receives the printed to do list, she’ll be led into an elaborate living room that looks to be a cross between a theatre and a courtroom. She’ll be seated and the Gaineys will play music while she sits and waits for the happenings to begin. We won’t allow her to talk or ask questions in the meeting although she will be expected to sing along with the Gaineys as they sing songs she doesn’t know. Between songs, all the Gaineys will close their eyes and someone will talk to someone whom she can’t see, but all the Gaineys are sure is present. Then, the climax of the event will be her opportunity and privilege to listening to one of the Gaineys give a speech about being a Gainey and why anyone present who is not a Gainey should become one. After the speaking Gainey is finished, he or she will ask if anyone would like to be a Gainey. If she accepts the invitation, she will be asked to come to the front of the living room where someone will kneel down with her and speak to the invisible Gainey. She will be asked to verbally speak to the invisible Gainey herself and tell him she wants to be a Gainey.
If she does not accept this opportunity to become a Gainey, she will be told that she will be thrown into a fire where she will burn for all eternity.
I don’t think my friends would be too affective at finding me a wife with this plan. So why is this our plan for finding a Bride for the King of Kings?
Therefore GO (Not "Wait on them to come.") and MAKE DISCIPLES (Not "Chapel guests.") of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)


My wife became a Gainey because a Gainey was interested in her even before she thought about becoming a Gainey; a Gainey cared about what made her laugh, what made her cry, what made her angry, what made her feel peaceful, joyful, even restful. I didn’t promise her a future full of bliss and heaven, or even warn her that life without me would be hell; I simply cared and she learned to love me too and wanted to be a Gainey. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5: 8) NIV. Now there’s a plan for finding a bride, even a bride for the King of kings.

Many Blessings,
Johnny

Jesus would have liked to color.

I and others have often considered the fact that there are no recordings of Jesus writing anything. Although he went to school like all other Jewish boys where he must have learned to read and write, we have no documentation of anything that he wrote as an adult.

I think (if what I think should actually matter) that there are a couple of reasons for this.

First of all, if Jesus would have written a gospel about himself, the entire canon would consist of the Old Testament and the Gospel according to Jesus. After all, what more could be said that any scholar would consider worth printing. I mean, would I read the gospel of Jesus and then read the letters of Paul? I don't know. The entire measuring tool of the canon of Scripture would have an entire different meaning.

Second, I believe that Christ, speaking Aramaic, a very simple language would have been more apt to put his gospel out as a coloring book. After all, He would have chosen to keep it simple. That would sure throw a wrench in having a King James Version coloring book of the gospel of Jesus. "Useth a green crayon hereth, to coloreth thou picture." Just doesn't seem to fit.

Jesus would have kept the gospel so simple that we could never have been able to argue such
things as:
What is worship?
What is baptism?
Why do we tithe and what is tithing for the New Testament believer?
Which version of the Bible should we use?
Is hell eternal?
or
Are we saved once and for all or is our salvation dependent upon a continual faith in Christ?

I'm glad we have the deep theological writings of Paul, Peter, John, Luke, Matthew, and the other New Testament writers that keep the scholars busy, but I would have loved to have seen Jesus's coloring book...simple, clear, colorful.

Have a wonderful day as you color away.

Johnny

Looking Forward Thru the Rear View Mirror!

The classical past of our Christian heritage is rich and encouraging. It adds value to today and gives reminders of the flaws of our faith (thinking of Martin Luther's passion to reform the church, which was a great thing!).
But if driving the church were like driving a car, many could not see into the future for the huge rear view mirror that covers the windshield. Too often the church chooses to look only to the past in order to head into the future.
Rear view mirrors are helpful; they allow us to see where we've been and prevent dangers from sneaking up behind us, but they are not meant as a guide to drive forward. Rear view mirrors are a tool for glancing backward, not advancing forward.
There is also another interesting flaw in focusing too heavily on the rear view mirror. The closer you get to the rear view mirror, the more you can only see yourself, so that even the past becomes distorted. Classical churchanity followers tend to get too close to the rear view mirror, so much so, that they have a hard time seeing the world around them because their own face gets in the way; no one else matters, nothing else matters; only their attempt to hold on to yesteryear.
Show me a person who drives by keeping his or her focus on the rear view mirror, and I will show you a pile up on the highway.
Let's keep the past alive, while keeping ourselves alive as well. In order to do that, we must remember the values of the past and where we've come from by glancing occasionally through the rear view mirror, as we continue to advance forward into the wide open world of the future. Christ transcends all time and cultures; the Body of Christ must do the same.

Praise Song or Hymn?

I wonder if you and I were to sing the same 16 words over and over again, night and day after night and day forever, if God would think our song was shallow and unworthy of His ears or would he prefer something more along the lines of a hymn or Psalm?

Well let's ask King David and the other authors of the Psalms, then let's ask the four living creatures spoken of in John's Revelation, chapter 4.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." Revelation 4:8 (NIV)

Now I ask, "Is that a hymn that is spoken over and over or is it a Praise and Worship chorus?" Hmmm. It's worth looking into, especially since the difference seems so important to modern Christians and we're going to have to listen to those same sixteen words over and over again, night and day after night and day, because as the Word says, "They never stop!"

Some may argue, "The four living creatures are not singing, therefore it's not a song; John doesn't mention anything about singing!"
Maybe Praise and Worship should be spoken over and over again and only hymns should be accompanied by music.

As far as I'm concerned, if you want to give the Lord a gift I'll be glad to carry it to Him with you. I hope you'll do the same with me, because, quite frankly, I don't care if you like it or not; my song is for the Master, not the congregation.

Sleep well. Don't forget to say your prayers, and sing a hymn or a Praise and Worship chorus.
God will love whatever gift you offer.