Sunday Sermons...Why?

By listening to the expressed frustration of many well-intentioned Christians, I have discovered that there are a few who wonder about the purpose of preaching in worship meetings.

Among the complaints, is the thought that preaching is wasted on those who attend worship when it could be used so much more productively in the streets or other venues where there are no Christians. Wasting words on altar calls comes up in these conversations as well.

Perhaps the assumption is that the Holy Spirit gifts people to preach as a means of evangelism only.

It's true that we are called to go and make disciples and preach the Word of God. This is a command to teach God's people and to invite non-Christians to enter the Kingdom.

There is no directive in Scripture for altar calls, but only an invitation to know God's Word and obey Christ through faithful service to Him and others. This is how people enter the Kingdom of God (Community of God).When people accept the “yoke” of the Kingdom, they have entered the Kingdom and are expected to learn from the teacher/preacher how to interpret and apply Christ's teaching.

Altar calls may not be necessary in some worship experiences, in fact they may serve as little more than an annoying, traditional formality, though effective teaching is always the goal when sharing the Word of God with others.

“Others” is not only the lost, but those who walk beside the leader, faithfully seeking knowledge and direction. It seems to me that the call to preach has been misinterpreted as only a call to evangelize.

Evangelism alone is not the intention for teaching or preaching. The model of teaching and preaching is given to us by Jesus and His disciples. They taught as a means of instruction and evangelism. That should be our intention as well, even when the altars aren't filled with the knees of repentance.

Forever learning,
Johnny

How Important is Having a Teacher (Preacher) for Christians?

The following is a response that I posted in somone else's blog and feel should be shared.

Many well-meaning Christians are continuing to experience confusion over the importance of having a teacher.

In the first century A.D., also known as the Second Temple Period, teaching was highly regarded. Sages who taught their interpretation of the Torah, or "yoke," were so appreciated and sought after that every Jew considered it an honor to have a teacher in his or her home.

The most honorable place to be was at the feet of the teacher. This is exactly where we find Mary, as Martha continues to work in Luke 10:39.

Open Airs weren't forced, because the value of hearing the teaching was so high that people would flock to the feet of the teacher. This is why you will often read of teachers of the Torah, Pharisees, et cetera being present when John the Baptist and others are teaching.

Jesus taught in synagogues (gatherings of Jews) and at the Temple just as all Jewish teachers of his time. He also taught in homes, because every home was open to the teachers in Palestine. (Those that weren't open belonged to pagan settlers and Gentiles.)

When preaching and teaching is not valued, it's because the people listening no longer see its relevance for life. The Torah was life for people in the first century. It wasn't religious instruction, but practical, utilitarian, and useful guidance for every aspect of life. Biblical teaching is still to be practical and relevant.

Flippant rants were never a part of Jesus teaching. As someone said to me recently, “In everything you do, reflect Jesus.” Teaching is a serious responsibility and one that requires constant preparation and hard work, along with fervent prayer and a loving presentation.

Preaching is not our privilege from God to bark at His people, but the responsibility and authority to guide them according to His Word.

Forever learning,
Johnny

"Yesterday Ended Last Night"

Over and over, I hear people say, “Why can’t we do the things that we used to do; the things that made The Salvation Army great?”

If The Salvation Army did the things it used to do, then it would be doing things it has never done.

It wasn't past accomplishments, but creative progression that made The Salvation Army a great force for the mission of Christ in its early years.

Today is a new day, with a new song, and a fresh idea. As John Maxwell says, "Yesterday ended last night!"

Let’s not stifle the creative spirit of God’s people. Encourage one another to share ideas and be enthusiastic for one another as we work together to see those ideas suited to God’s will.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Questions I Am Finally Able to Answer

In my studies this week, I have discovered some wonderful answers to questions that I’ve been asking for years. Why didn't my Sunday school teachers ever tell me this stuff? Oh yeah...they didn't know it either.

Question:
Why does Jesus say that there will be those who are standing there today who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming into his kingdom (Matthew, chapter 16)?
Answer:
Jesus called his movement “the Kingdom of Heaven”. To enter the kingdom of Heaven (community of God), you chose to follow Christ and once you become a follower you have entered the Kingdom of Heaven. Death is not the doorway to heaven—faithfully following Christ is. When Christ returns, the Kingdom of God will be in its full glory, until then "the Kingdom of God" moves forward as the followers of Christ waiting on His return.

Question:
Are we supposed to tithe?

Answer:
The instruction to tithe was given to farmers and Levites. They tithed as a form of “Social Security” as their tithes of produce and flocks were used immediately to feed everyone who came to the worship festivals including orphans and widows.

Everyone was to pay the Temple tax, which was a half shekel (not 10 percent of everyone’s income).

Giving to the poor or “Giving Alms” was and is a Biblical mandate that even Jesus preached constantly. This was for all to do and it was and is the opportunity for all followers of Christ to share with those who don’t have. This is what we are to give according to what our hearts tell us to give.

It appears that the church has confused these commands and has created a new Temple tax, which is set at 10 percent of everyone’s income and doesn’t include the Biblical command to give to the poor. Helping the poor is extra!

FINALLY
The question that will blow your mind is the one that I will post soon with more elaboration on the findings. The question is: Why do we worship on Sunday? The answer is sure to threaten the less than solid in faith. It may even convince Chic-Fil-A to close on Saturday and be ready for business Sunday morning.

Forever learning,
Johnny

"There Is No God Jehovah"

Hamakom, hagavoah, halashon, hag'vurah, and shamayim were all names used by the ancient people of God in order to avoid misusing the name YHWH (yah-WEH) when having daily conversation or even in teaching. This is still the practice for modern Jews.

‘Adonai or ‘elohim was used when reciting or reading Scripture. Yet, even ‘elohim was not used in conversation.

The reason these other names, literally meaning the Place, the High, the Tongue, the Power, and the Heaven, were used in place of the tetragrammaton, YHWH was due to a literal translation of the third commandment, which was to never use the name of YHWH in vain.

Until some time around the third century B.C., but definitely up until the exile in 586 B.C. the name YHWH was used regularly. But in the third century B.C. the name YHWH was only spoken by the priests during Temple liturgies.

Until the sixth century A.D. there were no vowels used in writing the Hebrew language. But at that time, due to the deficite of people who were still fluent in Hebrew, vowels were used to help future generations pronounce the words of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Here is where the name Jehovah was accidentally invented.

The scholars of the sixth century, known as Masoretes, are the ones who began using vowels in writing the Hebrew Scriptures. In their attempt to preserve the third century B.C. law of not saying YHWH, the Masoretes superimposed the vowels of ‘adonai into the tetragrammaton YHWH. This was a protection for those who stumbled across the name YHWH in their reading and prevented them from saying the “sacred name.”

In 1516 A.D. an Italian theologian named Franciscan friar Galatinus came across this superimposed “warning” and misinterpreted it to be a name used for God. He then transliterated the Hebrew Y with the Latin equivalent J and the Hebrew W with the Latin equivalent V and presto…JeHoVaH was created.

Remember that as you sing, “There’s no God like Jehovah,” just take out the “like” and you have a more theologically correct song.

I raya and ahava you!

Life is never short of surprises. I gained some freedom tonight in my small group.

I know for a fact that I am among the top 10 luckiest people on the planet to have such great friends and a fantastic family.

The world seems so much lighter when great friends surround us. I raya and ahava all of you. Staci is also blessed with my expression of dod. Sorry that's exclusively reserved for her.

Thank you everyone for being so wonderful.

Grace and peace,
Johnny

A Foil

Life is very complex. There are so many real people with real problems who are searching for real solutions.

At the same time, there are too many actors pretending to be people with answers. Actaully, I think we are all actors in some capacity. The most reliable actors research the works of other actors and claim them as authority. The least reliable simply rely on our own acting.

At least the authority of other actors comes with some kind of experiences, even if they are only acted out expreiences.

Cynicism is a wonderful expression, isn't it? It's a popular one anyway, so I thought I'd use it for a moment.

Actually, I'm not convinced that cynicism is all it's cracked up to be.

Forever learning or acting like I'm learning,
Johnny

Posting to post.

Have a good day.

Good bye.

Passive Friendship Evangelism Committee

Words from Dr. William Willimon: "We, as the church, need to mock the world, instead of being so accepting and encouraging of it. We celebrate sin, by honoring sinners."

This is very true. Lately I am seeing more and more honor given to the lost as if this is a way of showing them Christ. Remember Christ told them to go and sin no more, sell all that you have and give it to the poor, come and follow me.

Sure, he had parties with sinners, but he didn't give them a big hug and say, "It's okay, you just keep trying and you'll get better while I love you." He said, "Go and sin NO MORE!"

It's time for the church to start mocking the world and stop treating sin and sinners as if they are a project for the "Passive Friendship Evangelism Committee."

Sin is real
Hell is hot
Christ saves
Friendships do not

Forever learning,
Johnny

Another Pentecost?"

I’m not going to do the study for everyone, but I will give my best, according to my own study and the insight of great teachers, professors, and, of course, the Word of God.

To ask for another Pentecost, is like asking for another crucifixion, another risen Christ, or another Ark of the Covenant to be built. Pentecost happened as it was prophesied to happen…once!

The Spirit of God was present in “Tongues of Fire” or, to give a clearer translation, “Languages of Power.” The “fire” of God, was at Pentecost and is today, His powerful spoken Word, given by those who are faithful to share it.

I have always cringed a bit when I hear this song led in worship. Next we’ll be writing a song asking for another crucifixion.

Forever Learning,

Walking Examples of Joy in Suffering

Tuesday, I went to a seminar led by Dr. William Willimon. WOW! He is an amazing communicator; considered to be one of the top 12 preachers in the country.

He has written 50 books and I know why; he has a lot to teach us.

I want to share specifically his point on pastoral pride.

He brought to the attention of everyone present that Christian leaders are quickly sucked into the "entitlement" syndrome.

When we (Christian leaders) first begin, we are looking to serve God regardless of the perks and pay, but it doesn't take long before we'll quit if we aren't allowed to have a laptop.

Think about it: how many Christian leaders do you know that aren't concerned about what neighborhood they live in, what kind of car they drive, or how much of an expense account they are alotted? I'll give you a hint. They are those who are asking of God, "Where do you want me to go Lord?" They are not those who are saying to the congregation and the church leadership, "Don't you realize how called and gifted I am?"

PRIDE is going to destroy us, if we don't take a good look in the mirror.

I am so proud of Rob and Heather who are leading a powerful outreach ministry in Charlotte, NC. They haven't received a paycheck in months, they are borrowing a car from a friend, they receive all of their meals from shelters and soup kitchens, they live in the ghetto, and their biggest request is for someone to give them something to stop up holes that allow cold air to come into their apartment.

I saw Rob last Wednesday night and the man is a "WALKING EXAMPLE OF JOY IN SUFFERING." How many of us have someone saying that about us? Not many.

It's tough to suffer the lack of constant needs for upgrades on technological gear and living arrangements. God should understand how important I am and how much I need to live comfortably. (Hope you're picking up on the sarcasm.)

Today is Ash Wendesday, therefore it is appropriate for me to remind all of you that you are dirt. You started as dirt and you're heading back to dirt. You've already been given the gift of God making you something out of nothing. To feel intitled to more is the equivelant of your hamburger asking for more ketchup. Thanks for returning this reminder to me--I am dirt too!

I have seen Rob many times in Charlotte and never knew of any of his suffering until someone told me this morning. He is always clean, joyful, and never puts on a bit of air that he is struggling. This is what Jesus meant when he said not to tell people when you are fasting. That's Rob and Heather; they don't whine and complain. They just move ahead with the calling to share Jesus with the world.

Thank you Rob and Heather for reminding me of what's important...Following the will of God and reaching others for His purposes, regardless of how comfortable life is for me.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Clarifying Clarification

Please allow me to take a moment to clarify my last clarification.

My last blog was an attempt to say, "Please don't think that I am a staunch advocate of my own views." I also have great respect for the insights and views of other Christians and Christian leaders. There are people who are reading my blogs, specifically "Amnesty Box" and are thinking that I am an advocate of a strict militant style of leadership for every ministry of The Salvation Army.

Amnesty Box is something that I truly believe in and it has its place as a prophetic voice. However, there is much more to my views than the two dimensions of my writing that may paint me as some kind of voice for Salvationists who believe in strict militant leadership.

I believe there is a place for those who need to be led strongly.

I also believe that God speaks through patience and tenderness of which some leaders in The Army must present to be effective for some people.

For instance, the poorest of the poor are also among some of the most verbally and physically abused. Do we really want to go into their neighborhoods barking out orders? Personally, I think they could use a little tenderness.

So, again, thank you everyone for your encouragement and support of my philosophies and teaching. And another thank you for your Christ-like patience with those whose views you may disagree with, including my own.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Keeping It In Context

Well, just in case you happen to come across Stephen Court's blog, "Amnesty Box vs. The Salvationist Mind for the 21st Century" on ARMYBARMY and see that one of my articles has become a source of inspiration, know this:

Context means everything.

I'm not sure how people will take my words when I write them, but those who know me best know that I am constantly learning and developing.

I believe The Salvation Army needs to stand and not be so flaky when it comes to serving the world. There is way too much compromise in the ranks and in our purpose. It’s very difficult to move forward when you don’t know which direction is forward.

I want it to be clear that The Salvation Army is the vehicle of which I choose to serve Christ and I am always looking for the most effective way to serve Him for the Kingdom.

Church growth and personal recognition are not any less divisive than rigidity and irrelevance in Christian expression and ministry.

I don’t know that a dogmatic stance, which moves us to see the opinions of others as an opportunity to judge them as if they have no other dimensions, is justifiable Christian behavior.

We must constantly understand that sometimes God is represented by the prophet who stands on the side of God with a warning of judgment to the people; sometimes He is represented by the priest who stands on the side of the people pleading to God for mercy; still sometimes He is represented by the king who makes a decision based on God's will.

In all of these roles, God is often represented by a human being in the form of a Christian leader. God's leaders are sent to represent the role God calls that leader to be for each individual or congregation.

As Doctor Rick Lints, Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary so adequately stated, “There are some who are standing and need to fall on their knees and pray for mercy, while there are others who are kneeling who need to stand up and trust that God has given it to them.” God's representatives are often used to help His flock know whether they are to stand or kneel when their pride or self-pity blind them to the direct message from God.

Every message or philosophy deserves to be heard for what it is--an attempt at finding and revealing the truth. I believe that no matter how wrong one person sees the views of another, we must always remember that those who are brave enough to voice their views and are within biblical parameters of doing so, are also those who care enough to speak.

Let’s not discourage vocal expression, as each expresser is a child of God who seeks to find and share Christ with deep conviction and sincerity.

Thank you to everyone who encourages me and stands beside me as a REVOLUTIONARY and wants what is best for The Salvation Army and, most importantly, The Kindgom of God.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Why?

There is a time in every person's life when we just have to ask, "WHY?" Why are we? Why do we? Why have we? Why did we? Why will we?

I was walking around a Supercuts today, which used to be a bank. The old drive thru tellers are still there, but I could tell they were from the 80's.

Ella walked around the old machine where people would drive up and put their money or whatever in a big plastic tube, which was then sucked up into a vacuum. For her, it meant nothing.

For me, it was a mark, a step, a yesterday. Sometimes I get really tired of yesterdays and all I want to do is see right now. Life seems to be nothing but memory making moments. I can’t quite get to the next minute and then suddenly I’m past it.

Sometimes I just want to scream out, “STOP! Let me look at you for a moment." I want a chance to stare life in the face. I want to stare at it just like staring closely at a leaf and noticing all its specks and lines. When do we get to just take some time to look at life and enjoy the beauty of it?

"Why?" may be the wrong question. Maybe there is no question.
Who knows? Hey! Maybe "Who Knows?" is the question.

Forever wondering,
Johnny

The Gainey Sweat Shop

Ella has called an attorney and is demanding better working conditions.

Small Group Agenda Info and Birth of a new group update

For the next 23 weeks, we will not be posting the Small Group Agendas.

Reason:

We will be using the Rob Bell NOOMA videos and using a basic format for accompishing the Welcome, Word, Worship, and Witness based on the Videos and the book that accompanies the video.

However, I would like to share that a New Small Group/Interest Group has begun at DHQ during the lunch hour in the break room. The group met today and there were 8 in attendance. One of those eight was with us via Skype. Thanks for being there in voice Kristy.

The Interest Group meets to discuss the Velvet Elvis book written by Rob Bell. It was great. I had a wonderful time as I'm sure we all did.

Have a great day everyone.

Forever learning,
Johnny

How was your day?

Today was a beautiful day.

The skies were blue.

My children are healthy.

My marriage is happy.

I have a headache.

My dog is aggravating.

My grandparents are dead.

My Dad has a liver disease.

Today was a beautiful day.

The coffee was wonderful. (Tim Hortons from Jeff. Thanks Jeff.)

I've put on three pounds in two weeks.

I'm losing my hair.

I love being a Salvation Army Officer.

Some people are mean.

Some people give me energy.

My wife is so pretty.

Today was a beautiful day.

Good and not so good, God is always good.

Today was a beautiful day.

How was your day?

No Dogs Allowed!

Is it just me or is there an immense amount of spiritual gluttony among Christians.

Tonight I was privy to a wonderful conversation with friends at my dining room table and in that conversation some wonderful points were brought before us.

The conversation caused me to think more about this situation of spiritual gluttony.

The root of the problem appears to be grounded in selfishness. There appears to be a sense that Christianity is a calling to go to church, rather than be the church. Over and over I hear this phrase, “We need to be fed!” There is no more a sickening phrase on the planet. But, that’s just my opinion. If it’s not yours, please allow me to be loved by you anyway.

Jesus calls us to feed sheep. It appears that everybody thinks they are all sheep. My question is, “If everyone is a sheep, who does the feeding?” I don’t think God intended for one or two to be shepherds and the rest of the millions of Christians on earth to be "Get-fed-only" sheep. Again, this is my opinion. Please continue to love me.

Eternal sheep have a habit of taking up so much time and energy from the shepherds that shepherds never have time to look for lost sheep.

I think we need to be intellectually fed by the Word of God and spiritually fed by the Spirit of God and physically fed by the servants of God, but then it’s time to do some feeding ourselves.

No sheep eats all day, every day, with no concern for becoming a shepherd.
That is what shepherds do. Shepherds train sheep to be shepherds. Not all shepherds are shepherds of a lot of sheep. Some shepherds merely feed their family and maybe a friend. Some shepherds don’t have the capacity to feed, but they help those who do.

Wouldn’t a sheep that only eats be a glutton of a lamb?

I like sheep and I don’t think they’re as stupid as most preachers try to portray them to be. I believe that any animal that can convince its master that it only exists to eat and is never responsible to feed is pretty darn smart.

In fact, I think these sheep are not sheep at all…they are dogs. They show up, eat, sleep, get a few pats on the head and wait for the next feeding.

Let’s all be sheep that become shepherds and shepherds who don’t allow dogs to pose as sheep.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Cell Group Agenda for the week of Febuary 5, 2006

Welcome
Have everyone come in, place their food or drinks on the table, get something to snack on and join each other in a comfortable room to talk.

Give everyone an opportunity to tell when he or she feels the most safe.

Tip: Some may try to spiritualize this question and give obvious answers, such as all the time, because God is with me. Ask them to be more specific and speak of a specific place or when they’re with a specific person.

After everyone has a chance to share, talk with Jesus and tell Him how grateful we are for safety in our lives.

Word
Play the Rob Bell’s Nooma DVD #001 “Rain.”

After the DVD is played have your group break up into small groups of three or four. Give each person a list of the questions from Rob Bell's study guide, which accompanies the DVD.

In each breakout group ask the questions from the book that accompanies the DVD starting on page 2 and ending (this week) on page 8:

After everyone gets a chance to answer the question on page 8, have the people in your breakout group take turns reading the list of Scriptures found on page 10 of Bell’s Nooma DVD book.

[I do not feel that it would be an ethically correct decision to list the questions from Rob Bell’s book. These videos are incredible and well worth you purchasing for your group.
I purchased the DVDs, which came with the study book, for $12.99 per DVD at Family Christian Book Store.]

After reading the verses of Scripture, have everyone join together in one room for worship.

Tip: When individual breakout groups are finished have them go into the room where everyone will be together for worship. Don’t wait for everyone to be done. This will help everyone to respect each other’s time and keep from giving too much time for those who are finished to engage in unrelated topics.

Worship
Play a CD of peaceful, worship conducive music with no words.
While the music plays take a few minutes to sit in silence and have each person picture a moment in his or her mind that he or she wishes could have been avoided.

After 5 minutes have the group pray that God will show them how He was able to draw closer to them because of that scary time. Then ask God to give them the wisdom to see how God was using the moment to get closer to him or her.
Witness
Your act of taking your experience of being with Jesus tonight will be to share your excitement for what you’re learning with someone who is not a part of your group. Then invite them to come next week, when we will watch the same video again and go through the Scriptures and questions in the remainder of Rob Bell’s study guide.

Retro-New and Different

Every morning I drive for about an hour and fifteen minutes before I finally arrive at my destination of the office. And during that time I chat with Jesus about life. Sometimes we talk about family, tragedies, fun stuff, sad stuff. Sometimes I just try to listen to Him speak.

This morning He spoke through the silence and taught me something wonderful. I have been working so hard on affecting change in the part of God’s Kingdom that He has called me to and this morning I realized something wonderful.

Change is not about something new and different. Change is about retro-new and different.

As I pondered on the frustration of how to get people to see that change is necessary for effective Christian ministry, I realized that the threat is usually a fear that we will be leaving the place where God has put us. But I learned that change is really about bringing us back to the right place.

Change is the equivalent of the ref blowing his whistle during a football game when the ball has gone out of bounds. Change in ministry is the equivalent of the ref blowing the whistle because the whole team has begun to play out of bounds.

There are times, moments, decades, eras, when ministry has gone so far out of bounds that God calls a leader to blow the whistle and get people back on the playing field.

That is when leaders have to listen to God, share that vision, and inspire the team to get back on the field. The tough part is getting the players to see that they have moved away from where God wants the team to be. These are the moments when the players actually believe they are still on the field and everyone else has gone home because they don't care about the game or the team anymore.

However there is a strange and wonderful difference between football fields and ministry fields. With football the field never moves. With ministry, if we don't keep our eyes open, the field will slip right out from under us and some will never even notice it's gone.

One day the team looks up and asks, “Where is everybody? Don’t they care about the game?" The fact is God has moved the field to a whole new place where the spectators have new faces, wear different clothes, speak a different language, and may not even sit in the bleachers.

Change is what a leader does when he says to the team, It’s time to get back on the field. There is an entire world of people who need to see and be a part of the game, but they can't see us play anymore, because we have completely left the field or the field has left us."

Change is about getting the team back on the field.

Ministry Is Not Messy!

How do I balance Johnny the person with Captain Gainey the Corps Officer/Pastor?

I am learning more and more that being a leader of God's flock is synonymous with self-ostracizing. The lessons I’ve learned after three and a half years of pastoring have taught me why so many church leaders end up bitter and alone, questioning their calling, and pampering a low self-image.

I don’t agree that ministry is messy. That may sound catchy, but the truth of the matter is that Satan’s intervention in ministry is messy, not ministry. Ministry is an extension of the love of Jesus Christ. How can that be anything but beautiful?

In Marshall Shelley’s book, ‘WELL-INTENTIONED Dragons’, Shelley says, “A pastor’s authority requires two ingredients: God’s appointment and call, and the body’s respect for his leadership. Losing either side of the equation spells an end to effective ministry.” pgs115-116

Shelly also says, “Every pastor walks that delicate line between steering and being steered by the congregation. As they weigh the criticisms, most ministers occasionally wonder, Am I being followed or chased?” pg. 115

This is a serious dilemma in the church, because too often God’s flock forgets the role of the shepherd, which is to lead. Too many sheep believe that they are supposed to train the shepherd to listen to sheep, rather than assist the shepherd in listening to God.

I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong before.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Down the Track

As I continue to study leadership, especially Christian leadership, I never run out of helpful insights. In my recent studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I studied under the teaching of Professors Wayne Goodwin and Rod Cooper.

I want to share an insight that is incredibly helpful to all of us as Christians and Christian leaders.

As Dr. Wayne Goodwin so adequately explained, there are many different characteristics of a Christian Leader. Some of these characteristics are intrinsic and others are externally expressed. The four characteristics that we focused on were Calling, Character, Competency, and Community.

Dr. Goodwin pointed out that most Christians and Christian leaders approach the development of these characteristics much like laying a train track. Each of the tracks run parallel and if you look far enough down the road they appear to join or touch. The truth of the matter is that they never join. If you run down the track, you will see that they remain parallel forever.

The thing that should bring them together is spiritual development. But too often we believe that as long as we work on each of the external tracks, they will eventually come together and make us authentic, mature Christians and/or Christian leaders.

In truth, we should be focused mostly on our spiritual development, and out of that spiritual development we will be better prepared to have healthier character, competencies, and community.

I will leave you with this thought from Dr. Rod Cooper:
“Leaders either cast shadows or light. The heart of the leader determines the heart of the organization.”

Forever Learning,
Johnny

Cell Group Agenda for week of January 29, 2006

Small Group Agenda for Week of January 29, 2006
Scripture 1 John 4:10-11
“Love One Another”


”This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:10-11

Welcome
Have everyone get something to snack on and drink and bring it to a room where everyone can get comfortable and join each other.
Once everyone is comfortable, have them share how they felt when they received the letter from another member of the group telling them how the writer sees him or her as representing a child of God.

After everyone has a chance to respond, pray a prayer welcoming Christ into our presence and asking Him to make us receptive to His Word as we prepare ourselves to experience Him through the Scriptures.


Word
Have someone read 1 John 4:10-11.
”This is love: not that we loved God, but hat he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

After reading Scripture, have everyone break up into groups of 3 or 4. Give a copy of the following questions to one person in each group and have them ask a couple of questions, then pass the questions to someone else in the group. Try to give everyone an opportunity to ask a couple of the questions in the breakout groups.


1. Are we supposed to love one another?
2. Does God love us?
3. Based on this Scripture, considering it is written in the context of a letter, why do you think John finds it important to remind people in the first century that they are to love one another?
4. How are we supposed to love one another? (After everyone has a chance to answer this question, have someone read 1 John 3:18 and give everyone a chance to answer the question again.)
5. How important should loving with actions and with the love of Christ be for those of us who call ourselves Christians?

Tell the following story:
In his book Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, Richard Foster tells of an old sage who asked his disciples, “How can we know when the darkness is leaving and the dawn is coming?” “When we can see a tree in the distance and know that it is an elm and not a juniper,” one student responded. “When we can see an animal and know it is a fox and not a wolf,” replied another.

“No,” said the teacher.

Puzzled, the students asked for the answer. The sage replied quietly, “We know the darkness is leaving and the dawn is coming when we can see another person and know that it is our brother or sister; otherwise no matter what time it is, it’s still dark.”

Do we take seriously John’s words, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren?” (1 John 3:14).

Our Daily Bread, June/July/August 1998, June 17
Haddon W. Robinson


6. When does it become most difficult to love one another?
7. Is there anyone here who is finding it hard to be seen as a Christian because of an misunderstanding or an unwillingness to love other?

If anyone answers this question by saying that he or she is having a difficult time loving others, have everyone surround that person and pray that the Spirit of Christ will fall upon them in such a way as to give them a willingness to care for others with actions.

After prayer, join the others for collective worship.


Worship
Worship will be experienced by sharing with Christ and one another the ways God is calling each of you specifically to love others with actions and with the same love that Christ has for him or her.
After each person speaks have someone lead everyone in a song that expresses gratefulness for Christ’s model of love.
Finally, pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the love of Christ that is present with each of His children.

Witness
Briefly discuss ways that we can use actions to share the love of Christ with each other and others. Decide on which expression of love we will share as a group before the next gathering.

A Worship Family

This week was a great one. I spent 40 hours under the teaching of two great professors. The class was Christian Leadership.

After much discussion about church leadership, one of my fellow students was commenting on his appreciation for the structure of The Salvation Army. He noted, after 3 or 4 presentations of Salvation Army officers who did interviews with various Salvation Army leaders, that his church was missing something very vital.

He said that he is a part of a new and thriving church that is reaching out to a new population of normal people (non-Christians). The worship in his church is very contemporary and exciting. He also said that he enjoys working in this church.

The one thing he misses and is envious of, in regards to The Salvation Army, is the valuable asset that we have in our heroes of the faith. He spoke of a longing for a church with a history, which had people who had been around for decades to share their stories and their wealth of experiences and insight for ministry.

What immediately came to my mind was the picture of a Christmas feast. I very much miss being home for Christmas. It’s not the presents, the tree, the food, or even the traditions that I miss most. For me, it’s the family that I miss.

I miss grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces all being together in the house, enjoying each other, no matter who we are or what we bring. It is the family that I miss more than the festivities. I especially miss the great stories that my grandparents would tell while we would drink coffee after dinner.

For me, this is a picture of worship that should never be lost; a picture of people of all ages coming together with all that they bring of themselves. I appreciate the young and the old, the fast and the slow, the traditional and the contemporary.

Worship should always be with family—the whole family, with everyone enjoying the company of one another. I am grateful for our heroes of the faith. I am thankful to God for those who have worked hard to set the stage and bring their rich heritage, experiences, and passions to share with those who are in great need of a sense of history.

I give thanks to God for placing that student in my class to give me a reminder of what it means to share my faith with those who have lived it for nearly an entire lifetime.

It has been wisely stated that you can’t head into the future without knowing where you are right now. I would add to that by stating that you can’t know where you are right now without knowing where you’ve come from.

Praise God for the elders of the church. You are loved, appreciated, and greatly respected.

Forever Learning,
Johnny

Cell Agenda for week of January 22, 2006

Cell Agenda for Week of January 22, 2006
“God’s Kids”
1 John 3:1-3

Welcome
Ask about the prayer lists and how they have used them. Ask if they have been helpful and if anyone called anyone on their list just to say hi.

Word
Have someone read 1 John 3:1-3, then read the following story.
A group of teen-agers were enjoying a party, and someone suggested that they go to a certain restaurant for a good time.
“I’d rather you took me home,” Jan said to her date. “My parents don’t approve of that place.”
“Afraid your father will hurt you?” one of the girls asked sarcastically.
“No,” Jan replied, “I’m not afraid my father will hurt me. I’m afraid I will hurt him.”
–Warren W. Wiersbe

After reading this Scripture and the illustration, divide into groups of four and have one person of each group take a copy of the questions and ask them of the group.

Ask the following questions
1. Are those people John is writing to, as well as those this letter would speak to today, children of God or are they only like His Children?
2. Does God mind us calling ourselves His sons and daughters?
3. Do you think that John saw people who were struggling to call themselves children of God, even though they were? Why?
4. How do believers find themselves wondering whether or not they are children of God?
5. Give your best description or definition of a child of God.
6. Share a time when you felt least like a child of God.
7. Is there anyone here who feels unworthy to be a child of God today?

After this question join the other groups for worship.

Worship
Use this worship time to have each person give a reason why they feel they are glad to be one of God’s children.
Then pray and thank God for allowing us all to be his children.


Witness
Have each person put their own name on a small piece of paper and fold it into a small square. Place all the folded papers in a basket. Then pass the basket around and have each person take out a name, making sure it’s not his or her own name.

On Sunday afternoon after worship, each person will go home and write a letter to the person of whose name they received. On the letter write no more than one page of why this person should have confidence in calling his or her self a Child of God.

Commissioned to teach Church Etiquette?

Today I received an amazing phone call. You may recall the book 'Radical Outreach.' You can find it in any Christian bookstore. The book is about reaching people the way they can be reached today and the author's name is Dr. George Hunter III.

Dr. Hunter is Distinguished Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore Kentucky. He is also the author of 'Church for the Unchurched' and 'The Celtic Way of Evangelism.'

I called him a week ago to discuss my concerns over the challenge of transitioning the traditional into missional. Dr. Hunter called me back today and left me with these wise words:

"Many Christians are now the modern day Judaizers who insist that those who are not Christians are the Gentiles who need to be circumcised before they enter the church."

Dr. Hunter's words were in reference to those who hold on to the status quo, enjoying their church lives, and unwilling to change in order to reach the lost. Instead many Christians require the lost to accept the culture of their particular denomination, class, and/or social behavior before they can be a part of the family of God.

It's time to put away the scalpels.

Forever learning,
Johnny

Jesus was no Pacifist!

A while back I posted a blog that answered the question, "Would Jesus have gone to Vietnam?" This is some further insight on that subject.

Pacifism and Jesus? Maybe, if he was a 21st century liberal American. But Jesus was, in fact, a first Century Jew.

In the Jewish Talmud, which Jesus would have read, trusted, and taught from, are these words, "If someone comes to kill you, anticipate him and kill him first" (Sanhedrin 72a). To kill in self-defense was perfectly permissible in Jewish belief. And please take the time to ponder for a moment that Jesus was not a Christian; He was a Jew.

In fact Christians were a legitimate sect of the Jews, not unlike the Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, et cetera, until 380 A.D. or C.E., whichever you choose. It was then that the church father, John Chrysostom was appointed Bishop of Antioch.

According to Stephen M. Wylen, when Chrysostom came to the city, he was shocked to find his flock regularly attending the synagogue, enjoying the sermons there and socializing with Jews. The Christians treated rabbis as holy men, going to them for amulets, blessings and cures. John Chrysostom responded with his ten famous sermons Adversus Judaeus, “Against the Jews.”

He condemned the Jews in the strongest terms as servants of the Devil. He forbade social and economic contact of any kind with Jews; much less a sharing of religious ideas and practices…these sermons became the basis for church policy. Judaism was utterly condemned as debased, even satanic religion. Contact with Jews was restricted. Attendance at Jewish rites was prohibited. Christians were prohibited by law from “Judiaizing”—that is, from observing Jewish rites, laws and customs. Christians were prohibited from keeping kosher, celebrating Jewish holidays, or visiting synagogues.

The Ebeonites, or Jewish Christians, had become increasingly marginalized. Now they disappeared altogether. To become a Christian was to reject Jewish identity and become a Gentile, with no exceptions. –The Jews in the Time of Jesus, pgs. 195-196

To truly understand Jesus and how he would respond to laws against killing, you must understand first century Jews and their beliefs and teachings, as well as have some understanding of the original languages. You also have to understand what Jewish culture and social life was like for a follower of Jesus. Jesus told his followers to buy swords in Luke 22:35-37. We also know that some of them carried weapons (Luke 22:8; 22:50).

For those who believe that Jesus was a Pacifist, the misunderstanding comes from a mistranslation of the Semitic languages and Biblical Greek into English. The word used in Matthew 5:21 which says, “You shall not kill” is better translated, “You shall not murder.” There is a big difference, even in modern English.

Killing and murder are polarized by the intent. As David Bivin and Roy Blizzard, Jr. point out in their revised edition of their book, Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus New Insights From a Hebraic Perspective, “It’s difficult to explain how English translators made this mistake since the Greek language also has separate words for ‘murder’ and ‘kill,’ and it is the Greek word for ‘murder’ (not ‘kill’) which is used in Matthew 5:21.”

There are also other passages of Scripture where the English translations lend themselves to lead readers astray. If you want to know more, buy the books that you see quoted in this blog. But be careful, some modern Christians live by the motto, "The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it." These books just may unsettle it.

I hope this has shaken your faith just enough to get you thinking and studying for yourself.

For those of you high and mighty, know-it-all Chirstians, there is a saying, “Once a Christian becomes a Bishop, he never again eats a bad meal, reads a good book, or hears the truth.” (source unknown, at least to me.)

I'm not in the mood to be diplomatic tonight. But my name is still Johnny and I'm still your friend.

Forever learning
Johnny

Cell Group Agenda for Week of January 15, 2006

Cell Group Agenda for the week of January 15, 2006
Theme: “How do I know I belong to Christ?”
Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11

Welcome

1. Give everyone present a piece of paper. Have them write down on the paper:
a. The names of people they have a hard time getting along with
b. The names of people they avoid
c. The names of people who would bring out feelings of anger if he or she were to see them.
2. Allow people to verbally express the feelings they experience when they look at the names on their list. Don’t allow the people in the group to speak the names, this would be gossip. Only allow for them to tell how they feel when they think of the people listed.

Should anyone appear to need prayer at this moment, take the time to pray for him or her to give them comfort, but don’t allow this to become a therapy session.

Word

Read this story:
Dolly Madison, the wife of the fourth president of the United States, was one of the most popular women in American history. Wherever she went, she charmed everyone—the rich, the poor; the famous, the obscure; men, women—everyone she met. She was once assked to explain the secret of her power over others. The question took her by surprise. She said, “Power over people? I have none, I desire none. I merely love everyone.” –Source from Word and Worship Resoures for Salvationists, First Quarter 2006, pg. 17

Have someone Read 1 John 2:3-11
Ask the following questions:
1. Is there a way to know that you can be sure that you belong to Christ?
2. Do you believe that those who call themselves Christians, yet disobey the word of God are lying about being Christians, even if they aren’t aware that they are lying?
3. Is it easy to obey God’s command to love others?
4. What are some reasons that the people John is writing to would hate someone?
5. What are some reasons people hate others today?

After this question, break up into groups of three and ask:

6. Is there anyone here who is struggling with not being able to obey God’s command to love others because of unforgiveness, racism, or because of a judgemnt against sertain sinners, such as those struggling with homosexuality?

7. Ask if there is anyone in the group that would like to be able to begin caring about the people he or she wrote on their paper during the welcome of this gathering.
8. Have the person who says he or she would like to lose their ill feelings toward those on their list to pray sit on a chair and have the others come around that person and pray.

Get back together in a large group for Worship.

Worship

To begin worship sing have the worship leader lead a song of God’s mercy and love for sinners.

After singing, have everyone step out onto the back porch, bring the papers with their list of names.
Have a metal coffee can, garbage can, or chargoal grill available. Tell everyone who is willing to begin obeying God’s will by loving others, including those on their list to place their paper in the can or grill.
Then have everyone light a match and throw their match on the papers, signifying that they will begin to pray for those people, forgive them, and even begin loving them.

After this, pray for each other to continue to obey God’s command by praying daily for those whose names, once listed as people they didn’t care for, will now join the names of those whom they love.

Witness

Before you share the idea for witnessing this week, share this story from Warren W. Wiersbe, pgs 60, 61:

A man who was walking down a dark street one night saw a pinpoint of light coming toward him in a faltering way. He thought perhaps the person carrying the light was ill or drunk; but as he drew nearer he could see a man with a flashlight carrying a white cane.

“Why would a blind man be carrying a light? the man wondered, and then he decided to ask.

The blind man smiled. “I carry my light, not so I can see, but so that others can see me. I cannot help being blind,” he said, “but I can help being a stumbling block.”

After reading this story tell the group to make a commitment to call or write someone on the list they burned and just take the time to say hello and let that person know that you were thinking about him or her.
Next week you will be asked to share your experience in the group.

Cell Group Agenda for week of Jan 8, 2006

Cell Group Agenda for the week of January 8, 2006
Theme: “Working on your Relationship.”
Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10

Welcome
1. Have everyone get something to drink and something to snack on before you begin. Then bring everyone to sit down on the floor in a circle and ask the following questions:
2. Who in here has ever gotten something that you really wanted, only to lose interest in it in a very short period of time? What was it?

Word
Read the following passage from Graham Scroggie:

“Too many Christians live on the right side of Easter, but on the wrong side of Pentecost; the right side of pardon, but the wrong side of power; the right side of forgiveness, but the wrong side of fellowship. They are out of Egypt, but have not reached the land of promise and blessing. They are still wandering about in the wilderness of frustration and dissatisfaction.”



Have someone Read 1 John 1:1-10
1. Can we claim to have fellowship with God, yet live like we don’t and not be a liar?
2. Is it possible to know Christ and not be excited about it?
3. When John wrote this letter, he was an old man. At least 70 years had passed and Christians were beginning to become complacent about their faith. Why do you think that John’s concern for the state of those somber Christians caused him to write a letter?

After the third question, break up into groups of three and ask:

4. For those of us who believe in Christ and were once excited about our relationship with Him, have any of us become bored with our relationship with Jesus Christ?
5. Has this boredom caused you to stop sharing your faith?
6. How can we keep our faith from becoming stagnant and stale?
7. How important is it to have other Christians around us to encourage us in our relationship with Christ?

After this question, take the time to pray in your group of three for anyone who has lost their excitement over their relationship with Christ. Ask Jesus to bring freshness to his or her faith.

Get back together in a large group for Worship.

Worship
Have the person leading worship sing a song of adoration for our Savior. After singing, pray for each other to have a fresh love for Christ that will cause you to be excited about your relationship with Christ and make you look forward to bragging about your Savior to other.

Witness
Before you share the idea for witnessing this week, share this story from Carl G. Conner:

A few winters ago, heavy snows hit North Carolina. Following a wet, six-inch snowfall, it was interesting to see the effect along interstate 40.

Next to the highway stood several large groves of tall, young, pine trees. The branches were bowed down with the heavy snow—so low that branches from one tree were often leaning against the trunk of branches of another.

Where trees stood alone, however, the effect of the heavy snow was different. The branches had become heavier, but without other trees to lean against, the branches snapped. They lay on the ground, dark and alone in the cold snow.

When the storms of life hit, we need to be standing close to other Christians. The closer we stand, the more we will be able to hold up.”


Next Saturday night plan to go and see “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” with the group. Each person needs to invite and bring a friend and pay for that person’s ticket along with your own.

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,