God’s Invisible Hand

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“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:11

 

One of the pure joys of ministry is watching how God works behind the scenes to produce the outcomes He desires. Last month I wrote a short article in our newsletter about how we have been called to “Scatter the Seed” of our training and how God has prepared some soil to receive it and others not so much. Since we are based in the USA we rarely get to see all of the fruit that God produces from the “seed scattering” of our training materials. But even though we don’t see it, God is still at work and through His invisible hand is multiplying the seed that we had planted. And it’s interesting that within a week of publishing that article I received a testimony of God doing just that!

Last week I received an email from someone at a Bible College in Kenya (whom I did not know) stating that he had been teaching our Management for Church Leaders™  (MCL) training there and if I had any other training materials he might use. I was curious about this since I was not aware of any training at this place or in this city and thought one of our MCL Trainers must have been there or else he attended a training we did in Kenya. So I asked him for some background as to how he came across our training. He indicated that he had been using a printed copy he received from someone named Blake from the USA and wanted a PDF copy that he could more easily reproduce. I said I did not know Blake but was glad he found our training!

So I sent him the PDF version of our MCL training manual along with the Trainer’s manual to help him teach our material. I also sent him a link to our training videos on our website to further assist him in teaching our training at his Bible College. I also asked for some background on the Bible College and his ministry there.

He said his name was Rev. Dr. David Njoroge Evans and he was the Principal & Director of Studies at the Kenya Bible College in Thika, Kenya (see photo above). He also pastors a local church. He said he had been using our MCL training since February and had already trained 400 leaders this year! Additionally, he mentioned that he had plans to teach it again this past weekend in a town called Nyeri. He subsequently emailed me photos from that training and said they had trained another 94 pastors and church leaders there!

He also included the following testimony from the training in Nyeri:

“The leaders were so excited and actually the Host Bishop shed tears when he saw how receptive his leaders were and the manner by which they participated. They asked as to whether I can give them certificates of attendance.  Being the trainer I was very much moved by the teachings and would commend them for all leaders. I have never had such an inspiring material so far. Shalom.”

His testimony was a blessing to us and so I wanted to share it with you. I did email him training certificates that we have and also sent him our other training materials. I am not sure who Blake is or where he is from, but hopefully one day the Lord will reveal him to me and I’ll finally know how God brought all of this about! In the meantime, I wonder how many other Blakes and David Evans are out there training our material for God’s glory?

We are thrilled to see how God has been working through people we don’t know to bring about His desires to see our training reach those who need it. God is absolutely amazing!! It’s a privilege and an honor to serve Him by training and equipping pastors and church leaders around the world, both known and unknown to us!

God and Government

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“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.”

Isaiah 9:6

In the past several years, Christianity has taken a more prominent position in American politics. Evangelical Christians have become a large voting block while at the same time secularists continue to call for the removal of anything Christian from our public society. Both Republicans and Democrats have publicly used Scripture or Biblical references to support their policy initiatives or beliefs.  We saw this most recently in the immigration reform debate with regard to refugees, illegal entrants, and securing our borders. Unfortunately, Scripture is often taken out of context or applied inappropriately to justify a political position. So it is essential that we know and understand what God really said about government in the Bible and how He expects us to govern our nation.

First, though, we need to begin by discussing God and what Americans believe about Him and His Word. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center shows that about 24% of Americans are either atheist or have no religious affiliation (Religious Landscape Study, 2018). They do not believe in God or His Word. In addition, a recent Barna Research survey shows that only 38% of Americans believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and accurate Word of God (State of the Bible: 2017). That means that for about 62% of Americans, God’s Word is not applicable, accurate or reliable. So I find it very interesting that there are politicians who would use God’s Word to justify a political position when most Americans do not believe it is 100% true and accurate. God never intended for His Word to justify man’s actions but rather to explain His own!

But God’s Word does speak to our humanity and His desires for us as His creation. We are made in His image (Genesis 1:27) and we are called to obey His Word (Luke 11:28). Yet He also gave us freedom to do what we choose. But His desire is that we seek His wisdom, rely on His Word, and trust in Him for all things. For the serious Christian and follower of Christ, we are to read, study and apply the Bible to seek God and His ways. But for those who do not believe in God or have no real faith, the Bible becomes a weapon to be used for personal or political gain.

So how does this relate to government and how we govern our nation? In our Republic form of government, we as citizens elect our leaders and give them the responsibility to govern us. We must remember, however, that government is a human institution. It was not created by God but was created by man to govern our affairs on earth. In the beginning, God appointed the first leaders on earth (Adam, Moses, Joshua, Noah, Abraham, Samuel, etc.) and governed His people through them as they were instructed by Him! That was His plan until the Hebrews, against God’s advice, decided they wanted to elect their own leaders like the other societies of their day (1 Samuel 8:4-5). In other words, they thought they knew better than God how to run their affairs.  And unfortunately, that attitude continues to this day.

In reality, the Bible does not have much to say about the institution of government. In Romans 13:1, God does declare that He is the one who establishes all authority. In Isaiah 9:6, God refers to Jesus as the one He has appointed to take the government upon his shoulders. And Jesus, when asked about God and government, said we should “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). There are a couple of other Scriptures that also call us to govern justly (Job 34:17) and govern diligently (Romans 12:8). What these passages imply is that God is sovereign and we should look to Him for guidance on how to govern our nation.

Throughout the Bible God sets forth the standards on which our behavior should be based (Psalm 1:2), whether it is how we conduct ourselves or govern others. So, when we exercise our system of self-government and don’t look to God’s standards, we are basically putting ourselves in charge of setting the rules by which our citizens must live. Failing to govern by God’s wisdom ultimately leads to sin, injustice, corruption and deceit (Proverbs 14:12). In other words, when we set the standards, the people usually suffer!

George Washington, in his Farewell Address in 1796, said, “Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”  Religious principles, he’s suggesting, are necessary for our ability to govern ourselves. Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville, in his book Democracy in America, also made the same observation when he wrote, “The freedom we cherish rests upon religious foundations. Modern democracy could not have emerged but for the influence of Christianity on the Western world.”

So, the truth is that self-government really can only be successful when those who govern do so according to God’s Word. That was God’s design from the beginning – that we look to Him on how to govern! The proof that this is still true today is that we hold our leaders accountable in America for their personal behavior in addition to their governance. When those who govern are dishonest, corrupt, uncaring, or unfair personally or in the discharge of their duties, they are usually removed or forced out of office. So in effect, Americans do want their leaders to govern by God’s standards of honesty, integrity, fairness and compassion whether they realize it or not. And when they don’t, our system of self-government breaks down and fails everyone.

So what does this all mean for how we should govern ourselves in America? It means that those who govern must seek God’s wisdom and lead others according to God’s principles. It also means that they should not use God’s Word as a tool or weapon for political debate, but rather use it to let God’s Word change them as individuals and influence how they govern and treat those they are elected to serve. And only when our leaders live and govern others according to God’s guidance will our government truly work effectively for the benefit of all Americans!

 

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Fundamentals of Fundraising

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“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

One of the hardest things we do in ministry is to ask others for money or financial assistance.  Yet God’s Word tells us that if we ask for whatever we need in His name, we shall receive it.  When we ask God in prayer for the things we need for our ministry, including money, it is through people that God supplies these needs.  If we honestly seek Him and ask with pure motives for the financial resources we need to do His work, will not the God of the universe supply that need?  Will He not direct others with financial resources to us to fill our need?  And does not God bless both the giver and the receiver?

Let’s begin by defining what we mean by fundraising. According to the dictionary, Fundraising is the act of soliciting financial contributions to support ministries or enable ministry expansion. For our purposes, we will exclude tithes and offerings which are generally given regularly by being church members.

There are 6 main purposes for fundraising. First, we fundraise to seek God’s will and to validate our need.  God will only provide funds for His purposes, not ours (“Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails”– Proverbs 19:21).  Second, we fundraise to meet church needs, such as building repairs or new facilities. Third, we fundraise to establish new ministries which may require additional resources, such as staff, publicity or facilities. Fourth, we fundraise to support mission work, such as living expenses to missionary families or to pay for travel costs for mission trips. Fifth, we fundraise to provide direct relief to needy people (“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” – James 1:27). Finally, we fundraise for special projects, like rebuilding a church that has been damaged or destroyed or supporting a major local community outreach or event.

There are also 3 basic philosophies of fundraising:

  1. Pray.
  2. Pray and inform.
  3. Pray, inform and ask.

Many people just use prayer. God does hear our prayers and can direct others supernaturally to fulfill our need. I have prayed many times for a financial need that we have and have seen people respond without us ever mentioning our need. I often use prayer along with informing to raise funds. For example, we inform others about our ministry through our monthly newsletter. We often receive donations after sending one out. We did not ask for donations but after reading what God is doing in our ministry people are moved by the Holy Spirit to make a donation. I primarily use the third philosophy, which is to pray, inform and ask through our annual fundraising appeal letter. I do this only once per year as I believe it is only necessary to ask once and then let God do the rest. It is not good or beneficial to keep asking if people do not respond. And on a few rare occasions I have asked for funds through a personal, face to face, meeting for special needs that we may encounter. So I use all 3 philosophies depending upon the purpose, need and the timing.

Here are 7 Principles of Fundraising to keep in mind:

  1. Ask only for what you truly need. (“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” – Hebrews 13:5)
  2. Ask for contributions above regular church giving. Encourage people not to reduce their regular giving. Look for givers outside of the church.
  3. Specify how the funds will be used. Prepare a budget and identify all expenses.
  4. Clearly communicate the need for the funds. Tell people why you need the money, not just what it is for. Express the need spiritually – what is God asking you to do?
  5. Commit to reporting back the use and results of the funds. Inform donors of what was achieved with their donation. Failure to do so can impact future fundraising.
  6. Don’t fundraise too often. You create the impression that all you care about is money.
  7. When appropriate, share information on the progress. Provide a progress report in church or a special meeting to inform your congregation and keep them engaged.

Here are 7 simple steps on how to raise funds:

  1. Establish your ministry need. Gather input from as many sources as possible.
  2. Determine amount of money that you need to raise. Consider resources that you already have and raise the difference you require to proceed.
  3. Decide on the best method of fundraising. (An event, a letter, special offering, etc.)
  4. Decide when to raise the funds. Avoid conflict with other fundraising events and determine the length of time needed to raise the funds.
  5. Publicize the appeal. Inform your church and your community (if necessary or helpful).
  6. Do the fundraising event. (hold event, mail letter, collect offerings, etc.)
  7. Communicate the Progress/Results. Share progress regularly.

Fundraising is a necessity for most ministries. It is not difficult but does require prayer, preparation, and courage. We should never be ashamed to ask for financial help from others to accomplish what God desires of us. And it is a blessing to watch how God uses us and others to fulfill His purposes!!

(taken from chapter 10 of our Management for Church Leaders™ Volume #2 Training Manual © 2010)

 

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Law or Gospel?

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“I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

Matthew 5:18

There are many Christians who struggle with understanding the Old Testament in the Bible and how it connects with the Gospel, or the New Testament. Consequently some Christians discount the Old Testament entirely and claim that all that matters is the Gospel and what Jesus said and did. Some go so far as to say that the Old Testament doesn’t apply anymore and was written for a different time, a different culture and a different purpose. In other words, the Old Testament is not relevant to the Christian faith and can simply be discarded as some Jewish history and a bunch of highly questionable stories.

But is that really true? Can we “unhitch” the Old Testament from the gospel as one prominent American preacher has suggested? Is the Law contained in the Old Testament no longer applicable for Christians? Are Christians faced with choosing to adhere to the Law or the Gospel?

The Christian faith is based solely on the work of Jesus on the cross. But it is also built on the truth of the Bible. While the Bible is not the source of our salvation (faith in Jesus is), it is the inerrant and inspired Word of God that was written down for our benefit so that we can know God more deeply and accurately. The Bible contains the history of God’s relationship to man and his prior covenants with the Jewish people (Old Testament) as well as his covenant with all people through Jesus Christ (New Testament). We cannot separate the two parts of the Bible because they reinforce each other and work together for our understanding. Therefore, we must seek to understand how they both apply to us as Christians today.

As Christians, it is true that salvation comes through faith in Jesus and not adherence to the Law (John 3:16). Paul said that the Law shows us our sin (Romans 3:20) and that we cannot be saved through the Law because we cannot possibly keep it (Romans 7:18). Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 that the Law will never pass away, and that He is the fulfillment of the Law. In other words, Jesus did what we could not do (complete obedience to the Law) and gave His life so that we might be free from the Law. So to understand why Jesus came and what He did on the cross we must know the Old Testament to put Jesus into proper context. For without the Old Testament how could we possibly understand why we need Jesus for salvation?

So then, what is the purpose of the Law for Christians and why should we read the Old Testament?

First, as Paul said, the purpose of the Law is to show us our sin. What Paul is referring to is God’s Moral Law such as the 10 Commandments, laws on sexual behavior, etc. (The Jews added many civil and ceremonial laws on top of God’s Moral Law so it’s important to recognize the difference. Jesus freed us from the civil and ceremonial laws, but not God’s moral Law.) In order to believe in Jesus as our savior, we must first acknowledge that we are sinners (breakers of God’s Moral Law) and in need of a savior. John 1:9 reminds us that “if we say we have no sin, the truth is not in us.” Second, Paul also tells us that “the Law is holy, righteous and good” (Romans 7:12) and is what God expects us to try and adhere to. While the Law is no longer the standard for salvation, it is still the standard for our behavior. Third, the Old Testament documents what happens to us when we disobey God and try to do things on our own (Judges 21:25). Fourth, the Old Testament reveals God’s plan of salvation through the prophecies about Jesus that are ultimately confirmed in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus in the New Testament (Isaiah 9:6-7 & Isaiah 53).

So then, how are we to understand the Law and the Old Testament in light of the Gospel?

As for the Law, it is there to remind us of God’s standard for living righteous and holy lives. Just because we can’t keep the Law does not mean it should be disregarded or not obeyed. Obeying the Law does not save us or cause God to love us more. We should obey His Law because of what God has done for us (forgiveness) and to honor Him and bring him glory! And when we transgress that Law, we are called to repent and seek His forgiveness, which He promises to all who seek Him.

As for the Old Testament, can we really just toss it out or disregard some of its contents because it may not seem to make sense to us today? Absolutely not! Just because we may not understand God’s Word in the Old Testament does not mean it either is not true or not applicable today. Jesus often quoted the Old Testament and confirmed its truth. So if He believed it was true and God’s Word, so should we! He also said that the Old Testament is about Him and speaks of Him (Luke 4:16-21). Furthermore, the Old Testament contains many historical events that must be read in light of the language it was written in, the prevailing culture, the geography, the economy, and the political structure at the time in order to better understand what God is trying to tell us or reveal to us about His character and nature.

So for man to somehow claim that certain parts of the Bible don’t matter anymore is the height of arrogance and man placing himself above God. It is either God’s Word or it is not God’s Word. We can’t pick and choose which parts we accept or believe and which parts we don’t. We are not that intelligent! (Isaiah 55:9) As humans, and God’s creation, all we can do is seek to understand God through His Word and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

So the Christian faith is not dependent upon obedience to the Law. But it is also not about just saying we are Christians and doing as we please. Being a believer in Jesus (a Christian) means that we put our faith in Jesus for our salvation AND do our best to obey God’s commands and live a holy and righteous life. In other words, it is not Law or Gospel, it is Law AND Gospel.

So let us show our gratitude to God for sending Jesus to the cross for our salvation by trying to live God honoring and pleasing lives. As the Holy Spirit has brought us to faith through the Gospel (1 Corinthians 2:10) the Holy Spirit will also help us be obedient to God’s Law (Galatians 5:16).

 

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Is Our Training Effective?

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“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”

1 Corinthians 3:6

One of the struggles I face in leading this ministry is how to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of our training. Just counting the number of pastors and leaders we train is fairly meaningless because it does not capture the impact of the training on each individual that receives it. Additionally, just because someone attends our training does not necessarily mean that they put what they learned into practice and that it has positively impacted their ministry in a tangible or measurable way. Consequently, the impact of any training is very difficult to quantify and measure in an objective manner.

So, how do we evaluate the effectiveness of our training? The only option left is to try and evaluate it subjectively by surveys, focus groups and testimonials.  While this is certainly not comprehensive and only represents the views from those willing to participate, it does reflect the impact that the training has had on those individuals.  And that limited amount of feedback does provide guidance to our training development and delivery and gives us insight into what participants find useful, practical and meaningful for their ministry.

In our 17 years of teaching our Management for Church Leaders™ training we have learned from our participants and trainers several things about our training.  First, we continually hear that our training is very basic, Biblical, and easy to understand. Second, it is often mentioned that our training is very practical and something they can readily implement. Third, many participants like the fact that our training is comprehensive (includes a lot of what the Bible says about management) and is put together in one document which they can reference when necessary. This was our original intent and affirms what we set out to accomplish. And these comments have come from virtually every part of the world where we have trained.

But this feedback does not really answer the question as to the impact of the training. It’s one thing for participants to say they like our training and quite another for them to actually put it into practice and test its merit. For that type of feedback we ask for testimonials and stories from individual participants of how our training was actually used. That information is often harder to obtain because we do not have the ability to contact individual participants several months after they have attended one of our training conferences. So we must rely on our global network of trainers to provide that type of feedback for us when they can.

Recently I contacted seven of our key contacts and trainers around the world and asked them if they felt our training was effective and if so, how they knew. All of them said our training was effective and they knew that because of their personal contacts with some of the participants and the testimonies that they were receiving from them. They also mentioned being able to witness changes in the lives and ministries of those they had trained. Again their observations are limited and subjective but do provide evidence that there is impact from our training.

But I believe that the greatest testimony on the value and effectiveness of our training is that we have a network of 64 pastors and leaders around the world who have invested their time, resources and energy in teaching it to others on our behalf. I do not think they would do that unless they felt that the training was effective and important. While that is not conclusive evidence on its own, it does represent a significant indicator of the potential impact that our training is having.

Finally, I want to share with you a recent testimony that I received from Pastor Wilson Esambe from Cameroon. He is one of our MCL Trainers and has taken our training to many nations in West Africa on our behalf. He wrote, “I give thanks to God for FaithLife Ministries for bringing out the value that was hidden in me. Every month, I make it a habit of reading the manual and teach my church leaders also. Today, they understand the vision of our ministry through training using this manual. This year, we have a target of 60 church plants, as a Senior Pastor, I am relaxed but we have been able to plant 4 churches already. Thank you Mentor Barry. God bless you. Because of the goodness and practicality of the material I am prepared to go anywhere to teach others and sleep anywhere. Nothing is more important than having an organized and well managed church.” While this is only one testimony, it is very encouraging for what we do and shows the kind of impact our training can have!

I know that I will not truly understand or know the full impact that our training has had until I am in heaven. The Bible reminds us in Isaiah 55:11 that “so is my Word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  I trust that the Lord (who called me into this ministry 17 years ago) is using each of us who teach our training to impact others and together we will expand His Kingdom on this earth!

So, as a laborer in the vineyard of the Lord, and one who trains others, I am constantly aware that “neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)  Our duty and responsibility is to be obedient to God’s call, teach others what He has taught us, and to trust that God will provide the impact and effectiveness according to His desire and purpose!

Amen! Thank you Lord!

 

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Encouraging a Hunger for God

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“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

There is an old saying that “you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.” It means that if a horse is not thirsty he likely will not drink, even if you place some water before him.  The same can be said of our relationship to God.  We can be led to God, but unless we desire Him we will have no interest. So it is important for us to develop a hunger for God and His Word, so that we may be filled with His Holy Spirit.

I once heard the Rev. David Jeremiah identify the difference between “Spiritual Hunger” and “Physical Hunger” in a sermon of his on the radio. He said that with physical hunger, the more you eat, the less hungry you become until you are full. But with spiritual hunger the opposite is true. The more you eat, the hungrier you get.  You can never have enough. For church leaders it is important to encourage others to have a spiritual hunger for God as well.  We can lead them to God but they must have a hunger for God themselves. When God’s people hunger for Him they desire more of Him and thus grow as disciples.

A disciple of Christ should hunger for God as Jesus did. There is a difference between being a “disciple” and just being a “believer.” A Believer is someone who has a firm religious faith that they take as true or honest. A Disciple, on the other hand, is someone who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. Therefore, a disciple is more than just a believer because a disciple has an active faith. As James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.” There are many Biblical examples of people who hungered for God. They include faithful people like Abraham, Moses, David, Job, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, Peter and Paul. If we also want to be a disciple of Jesus then we should hunger for God as these other disciples did.

Today, we need to encourage all believers in Jesus to develop a hunger for God and so become disciples of Jesus as well. Why should we encourage a hunger for God? First, we know that only God can fill their spiritual “void” and give them true peace. God is the only one who can satisfy their spiritual desires and needs. Second, we were all created to be in relationship with our Creator. We have all been separated from God through sin, and He wants us, and them, back! Third, Christ is the ONLY way to salvation and eternal life.  The Bible says in Acts 4:12 that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” And lastly, we should encourage a hunger for God because of the blessings God wants to give each of us in this life. If we seek Him first, we will receive everything else (Matthew 6:33)!

How can we tell if someone has a hunger for God? First, they love to worship God. Second, they have a desire to know and understand God’s Word and pursue His will for their life. Third, they want to fill the emptiness in their life and have a relationship with Jesus. Fourth, they are willing to submit to God (James 4:7). This means they want to do His will, obey His commands, and go where He leads. Fifth, they have a desire to serve others and to love others as Christ has loved them. Finally, they have a longing to share the good news with others. They willingly witness and proclaim the gospel.

So, how do we help feed the spiritual hunger of others? First, we should encourage the eating of spiritual food, which is to read God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). To grow in Christ they’ve got to know Christ. Second, we should encourage regular worship. It helps them put the focus on God in their lives. Third, we should encourage the resistance to “sweets” (sins of the world) that diminish one’s appetite for God. Remind them to avoid situations that can lead to temptation and sin and separate them from God. Fourth, we should encourage the feeding of others through service and mission.  In order to receive they must first give away (Luke 6:38). Fifth, we should encourage the development of a Godly perspective. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) And finally, encourage them to develop a strong prayer life. It builds their relationship with their Heavenly Father and reinforces their faith as they see God answer prayer.

Here are a few extra tips on encouraging others to develop a hunger for God:

  1. Be an example – Don’t just tell them, show them!
  2. Do it together – make yourself accountable to others
  3. Focus on the positive – criticism destroys desire
  4. Be proactive – don’t wait for them to initiate activity
  5. Give all praise and glory to God – It is always about Him!

Encouraging others to develop a hunger for God is an important step in discipling them. Let us be examples and show the way!

 

(From Chapter 1 in our Discipleship for Church Leaders™ Training Manual, ©2015.)

 

Lenten Sacrifice

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Lenten Sacrifice: Is it for You or God?

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

Proverbs 21:3

Sacrifice:   noun

1. The destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else
2. An act of offering to a deity something precious

We are now in the season of Lent when many Christians remember and honor the sacrifice that Jesus made for all humanity on the cross on Good Friday. It is also 40 days long (excluding Sundays) which commemorates Jesus’ 40 day journey in the wilderness and his refusal to give in to Satan and his worldly temptations. In ancient times the season of Lent also included fasting for 40 days as Jesus did in the wilderness.  It also included giving of alms, prayer and flagellation (self-wounding to represent penance), which a few people still practice today.

During this time today many Christians traditionally give up (sacrifice) something they value or enjoy in order to honor His sacrifice and to prepare themselves for His coming death, resurrection and victory over Satan and the grave on Easter Sunday. Honoring God this way can be a wonderful demonstration of faith and commitment to following Jesus with one’s life.

But like so many Christian practices, these Lenten sacrifices can end up becoming traditions instead of acts of spiritual commitment and focus.  It perplexes me why so many Christians who practice this “temporary” sacrifice during Lent to honor God go right back to enjoying them after Lent is over. Does sacrificing food or things that we enjoy for 40 days actually draw us closer to God? Are we using this time of sacrifice to spend more time in prayer or the Word? Or does it simply make us feel better about resisting our temptations for a few weeks and then we go back to life as usual where we really haven’t changed?

The purpose of sacrifice is to enable us to let go of the things that we hold more dearly in our hearts than God. But if we go back to them have we truly made a sacrifice for God? Or are we only making a temporary gesture to assuage our own guilt for the things we do that we know we shouldn’t do?  The message of John the Baptist was to repent, or turn away from our sinful behaviors (Matthew 3:1-2). Jesus also began His ministry by preaching repentance (Matthew 4:17). In other words, the call of Christ is to give up living for earthly desires and exchange them for the will of God (1 Peter 4:2).

Like all spiritual practices it comes down to the motivation in our hearts. Are we doing this for God or are we just doing this for ourselves? Jesus said in Matthew  6:17-18, “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Jesus reminds us that when we fast or sacrifice for Him we do not need to let others know or announce it in a way that brings attention on ourselves.  The Bible also tells us in Proverbs 21:3 that “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”  And in 1 Samuel 15:22 it says that “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

So rather than making a temporary sacrifice to try to honor or please God, isn’t it more important that we obey His commands each and every day and sacrifice (give up) our sins to Him instead?

A friend of mine, Pastor Phil Ressler, recently wrote a book entitled “40 Things to Give Up for Lent” (https://philressler.com/40-things-to-give-up-for-lent-the-list/).  In His book he challenges Christians to give up 40 things that separate us from God, including fear, impatience, guilt, hatred, worry, etc., and instead focus on developing Godly desires. Rather than sacrificing something you value to God during Lent, how about taking on some quality of God instead?

I do not want anyone to miss my point here. It is not about ending the practice of Lenten sacrifice. My point is that if we are going to sacrifice something for God, let it be our pride, our selfishness and our sinfulness, not our life’s enjoyments. And let our sacrifice be every day and not just during Lent. And let our focus be on drawing closer to God, not on demonstrating our self-discipline to do without something we enjoy.

Paul writes to the church in Rome in Romans 12:1 and says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship.” He said this to encourage them to live lives dedicated to God. That encouragement also applies to us today!

We truly worship God when we are willing to sacrifice our human desires for His will and to submit our lives to Him daily and unconditionally.

So let us honor God this Lenten season by giving up the sin in our lives “that so easily entangles us” (Hebrews 12:1) so that we can “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!” (Hebrews 12:2) Let us focus on prayer and being obedient to His commands instead!

Develop These 7 Leadership Skills

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“Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;

teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.”

Proverbs 9:9

Leadership is critical in ministry as it is for any organization.  The success of any ministry will rise and fall on its leadership.  Weak ministries can succeed with strong leadership, but strong ministries cannot succeed with weak leadership.  If we are to achieve success in the ministries that God has called us to, then we must become effective leaders in order to fulfill His purpose through us.

John Maxwell, a leading authority on leadership, says that while some people are born with natural leadership ability, leadership is also a skill that everyone can learn and develop. Therefore, it is important for pastors and church leaders to continue to learn and develop their leadership skills.  A good leader never stops growing and learning.

It is my belief that if pastors and church leaders work at developing the following 7 leadership skills they will become more effective leaders.

  1. Communication

Effective communication is perhaps the most important skill that a leader can possess. Without good communication skills it will be difficult for a church leader to communicate Biblical Truth or influence their followers. Being able to speak clearly, succinctly and effectively enables a leader to motivate, encourage and direct their followers to necessary or desired courses of action. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” There are 3 skills leaders should develop to become better communicators. First, develop your public speaking and presentation skills. Leaders are frequently called upon to speak to large groups or present solutions to church issues. If your speaking and presentation skills are poor then your results will likely be as well. Second, learn to be clear & concise. Leaders often confuse people when they ramble on about something or wander from the topic at hand. And third, and most important, remember to communicate to be understood, not to be heard. If people only hear your message but do not understand it then they will not be educated, motivated or encouraged by it.

  1. Listening

Many people become leaders because they are able to communicate and articulate issues, ideas and solutions to others in a way that inspires confidence and trust in their ability to lead. But being able to listen carefully and thoughtfully to the ideas of others helps a leader make better decisions and manage the resources of the church more effectively. It is often said that God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason! The Bible says in James 1:19 that we should be “quick to listen and slow to speak.” Furthermore, in Proverbs 1:5 it says, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning.”  Consequently, a good leader is a good listener and good listening results in added knowledge and understanding.  It can also prevent us from speaking incorrectly or poorly (e.g. – putting our foot in our mouth!). A good listener also demonstrates concern and care for others.

  1. Wisdom

Decision making is probably the main factor that separates good leaders from great leaders. Often, great leaders emerge because of the way that they handled a crisis and demonstrated wisdom in the process. The Bible says that, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom.”  (Proverbs 4:7)  Notice that it says wisdom and not knowledge. Knowledge is simply having information about something. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the appropriate application of that knowledge. As leaders we must continue to learn and acquire knowledge (Proverbs 10:14), but we are also called to use wisdom in applying that knowledge as we lead. How does a leader get wisdom? Ask God for it. God says He will give us His wisdom if we ask for it (Matthew 7:7-8)!

  1. Follow Through

I read a study some years ago where CEO’s of major corporations were asked if they had any regrets about their leadership over the years. The most common response they shared was a lack of follow through.  In other words, when they delegated tasks or responsibilities to others they had failed to follow up to ensure they were done correctly or on-time. They all recognized that many problems could have been avoided if they had taken the time to simply follow up on what they had given to others to do to make sure it was on target. Assuming things are on schedule and lack of follow through had frequently led to poor results.  Leaders must hold others accountable by following up so as to ensure what they expect to be done, gets done!  Proverbs 14:15 says, “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.”

  1. Flexibility

Leaders are wise to recognize that not all of their followers will agree with them 100% of the time.  There are always different perspectives on most issues and so leaders must be flexible. Leaders must be willing to consider other points of view and solutions while holding on to their principles. Effective leadership requires learning which battles to fight and which ones not to. There are often many ways to accomplish the same goal. Consequently, leaders should remain flexible and weigh all the options before making any critical decisions. The Bible says, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”  (Proverbs 19:20)

  1. Encouragement

Everyone needs encouragement. Effective leaders understand that a few encouraging words can go a long way in developing people, raising up leaders and growing an organization. Criticism and harsh words, on the other hand, tear people down and hinder organizational progress. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica to encourage them with these words, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Therefore, speak encouraging words to those you lead – it will inspire them to do better. Show encouragement to others – it will create more effort in the future. And don’t criticize a good effort, praise it!  It will pay big dividends!

  1. Passion

One of the marks of a great leader is having a passion for what they are doing. Another word for that is commitment. Leaders must be committed to the goals and vision God has given to them and do whatever it takes to succeed within Godly principles and behavior.  Effective leaders NEVER, EVER give up!  They know that, “God’s work done in God’s way will have God’s supply in God’s time!”  Proverbs 16:3 confirms this and says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.”

 

(From Chapter 4 in our Management for Church Leaders™ Volume #2 Training Manual, ©2016)

2017 MCL Trainer Award Winners!

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FaithLife Ministries would like to recognize the efforts that members of our Global Trainer Network have made in spreading and multiplying our Management for Church Leaders™ (MCL) training last year. As a group, they trained 9,984 pastors and church leaders via 133 training conferences in 29 nations in 2017. That is an increase of 2,340 leaders (31%) trained over the prior year (7,644)! We thank God for their enthusiasm and commitment to training pastors and leaders with our training materials! To God be the glory!

We are pleased to announce the winners of our MCL Trainer Awards for 2017 and they are as follows:

1.  Multiplier Award – Pastor Joseph Senoga Richard of Uganda who trained 1,932 leaders in 2017!

2.  Organizer Award – Pastor Kiyingi Emmy of Uganda who conducted 10 conferences in 10 different locations in 2017!

3.  Missionary Award – Pastor Wilson Esambe of Cameroon who conducted training in 3 nations in 2017 (Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic) and introduced our training to his contacts in 3 others (Jordan, Togo & Ghana)!!

4.  Overcomer Award – Pastor James Ochwo of Uganda, who overcame medical problems, family issues, travel difficulties, and financial struggles to train 861 pastors and leaders in 7 locations in 2 nations in 2017!

5.  Dedication Award – Pastor Sam Abraham of India who demonstrated his commitment to our training by teaching our training in his Bible College and taking our training to 4 other locations throughout northern India, all at his own expense and initiative. In total, he trained 508 pastors, church leaders and Bible students in 2017!

Congratulations to each of our winners for 2017!!

We are so thankful to God and to each of them for their efforts on behalf of this ministry in 2017. The training results they have achieved are truly astonishing, especially in light of our running out of budgeted funds by July! May the Lord bless each one of them and their families & ministries for their commitment to training pastors and leaders along with us! We look forward to how God will use all of us to further His Kingdom in 2018!

 

Where Can We Find Unity?

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“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.”

Luke 6:38

We are all witnesses to the division that exists today within America. And everywhere we hear the cries for unity among all Americans.  We hear it from politicians. We hear it from protesters. We hear it on social media. And we know that unity is important if our nation is to continue to survive and thrive. As Jesus said in Matthew 12:25, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

But in order for there to be unity, there has to be something that we all agree on as the focus of our unification. I used to think that our flag and patriotism for our nation would be that unifying thing. But the recent NFL protests have shown that there is no unity on that subject today in America. What about our freedoms and the liberty we enjoy that most of the world is envious of? When some Americans protest free speech rallies and deny freedom of speech to other groups of people it is evident that there is no unity there either. What about Christian values upon which our nation was founded? Surely Americans can agree on those. But continual attempts to remove Christianity and the Bible from our culture prove otherwise. How about law & order? Targeted shootings of police officers, violent protests, disrespect of government officials or those in authority on social media, sanctuary cities, and politically motivated investigations and judicial rulings demonstrate that Americans are divided there as well.

In America there has always been political disagreement. That’s normal and also why we have two political parties. Americans have differing ideas about how to best solve our national problems and our democratic process and freedom of speech are supposed to assure that every viewpoint is heard. In the past we usually found ways to compromise and keep our disagreements civil. As a matter of fact, people around the world have marveled over how we can have such passionate disagreement every 4 years when we elect a new President but have such a smooth transition of power. But compromise and civility seem to have disappeared from our culture.

So where can find unity in our nation today? Perhaps we can all agree to just disagree. But I doubt that will provide a viable solution in the long run. So unless Americans can find a common issue or value we can all agree upon our nation will continue to devolve into various factions and will ultimately fall from within. I currently do not see a unifying value in our culture based on my observations the past several years. But I do know how America can bring civility back into our nation.

The only hope for America (and the world), and the only true unifying value available, is God’s Word and the cross of Christ. All of our conflicts and all of our disunity ultimately result from turning our backs on God and allowing evil and our sinful nature to take over and guide our behavior. His principles for living are contained in His Word and they teach us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44), to be humble (1 Peter 5:6), to submit to authority (Romans 13:1-2), to look to the good of others (1 Cor. 10:24), to be gentle and respectful (1 Peter 3:15), and to hate evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9).  These are the values that Christ represents and that our nation had recognized for many years. Even though we often failed to keep them, they were still the guide for our society and our nation respected them.

God created the world and every human being in it.  He sent His Son Jesus to not only redeem us from our sin but to be an example for us to follow as well.  Belief in His Son Jesus and trust in His Word are the only answers that can bring civility and unity to all of us. That’s because His Word describes the reasons for our conflict perfectly and Jesus provided the only solution for it. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:17 that “the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with one each other so that you do not do what you want.” Furthermore, James writes in James 4:2 that “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” It is clear that our disunity and conflict with each other comes from the sin inside each of us.

So what solution did Jesus provide? First, He willingly went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sin so that we are no longer condemned by it (1 John 2:2). Second, He defeated death and the grave to give us the hope of eternal life (John 3:16). And third, He sent the Holy Spirit to help us overcome our sinful nature so that we can now live righteous and holy lives (John 14:26) in peace with one another.

Jesus is the only solution to our conflict problem. Without Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross for us, it is every man for himself, a dreadful thought indeed! We will only find unity and peace when all people acknowledge the Bible as Truth (2 Corinthians 3:16-17) and Jesus as Lord (Romans 14:11).

As Christians, we already profess Christ and acknowledge God’s Word as Truth. Let us now strive to lead others to Jesus and God’s Word in order to bring His Peace and true Unity into our world this Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!