People don’t learn what you preach, they learn what your passionate about

Last week I was following the twitter hashtags from a conference in North Carolina. D. A. Carson said this, “Students don’t learn what your teach, they learn what your passionate about.”

This doesn’t just apply to professors… It applies to: pastors, elders, parents, coaches, supervisors, and anyone else trying to lead. It’s not what we PREACH, it’s what we’re PASSIONATE about. Dont get me wrong, content matters, doctrine matters, but just because you communicate something doesnt mean people get it. You can’t tell your children to ______, unless your passionate about doing the same thing. We live in a translucent society. People can see right through us.

The next time you want to get your point across, ask yourself this question: “Do I believe this? Do I believe it enough to DO what I’m asking others to do?” Dont just tell them, SHOW them. As Johnny Hunt says, “Things are better caught than taught.” Maybe the reason others aren’t living up to your expectations is because you aren’t.

When they see you doing the same, they’ll follow.

I’m tempted way too much…

I am tempted way to much to let message prep BE my personal time in the word. I have heard both sides from pastors. One says, “Message preparation isn’t sufficient for personal time with God”. The other says, “I cant separate the two.”

As a seasoned pastor or a young church planter, seasons of busyness can quickly take over. When that happens our “left over” time goes to message prep.

I fall on the side of NEEDING personal time with God, ASIDE from preparing a message in the word. That’s where God speaks to the core of who we are as leaders. Its where vision comes from. In message preparation, you tend to have the church in mind. In “no agenda” time with God, your heart is on the mind.

I’m tempted way too much to sacrifice my personal time with God for message preparation. Wherever you attend church, your pastor needs you to pray for him; that personal time with God would supersede preparation time.  You will find that the sermons on Sunday will be better for it.

I can do things better, faster. Let me!

“If you want to go fast, run alone, but if you want to go far, run together.” – African Proverb

That was a tweet I read from Dave Willis, a pastor in Fleming Island. When I read it made me think. Sometimes I just want to say, “I can do this better, faster. Let me“. Or so I think. But, what does that profit? Nothing. It just isolates & severs people from doing what they never knew they could do. It’s the leader’s job to take people to places they have never been before. That requires giving them the opportunity to try new things. Were called to make disciples. That means slowing down & doing life together.

Life, or even ministry for that matter, isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon. It’s better to finish well, than to start well. And its a lot easier to run together than by yourself.

Top 9 of 2009

These are the top nine blog posts of 2009 for me. They in no way reflect how many hits they got or how much my readers (what few I have) liked them. If I had to pick my favorite posts of 2009, these would be them…

• Spontaneous trip to the zoo
• Pirates in the backyard
• FNL 3.13.09
• What I learned in 1 Kings
• Kinds Camp ’09
• What if we made church all about the guests
• It’s only a matter of time
• Protect the space with your family
• What happened on Nov 15th

I am really looking forward to 2010. One of my goals is to be more consistent in blogging. Thanks for taking the time to read, I pray it is helpful. Happy New Year!!

Ownership is taken by letting go

Friday and Saturday I went to the Catalyst Conference, God showed me MANY things. I will blog a full post on what I learned later. Tonight I want to share with you one thing I heard Reggie Joiner say.

“You can win the battle — and lose the child”

Yes that applies mostly to the family, but it also applies at the work place, in the family and in the church. You may be completely right, but be wrong in the end because you care more about your pride than you do the other person.

• sometimes you have to let go
• sometimes you dont have to prove a point
• sometimes its better to have a soft answer
• sometimes, people heard you the 1st time
• sometimes you dont have to drive your point home with a sledge hammer!

Sometimes, its better to give your opinion, step back and let the other person make their decision. If you are always making it for them, if they “have to” do what you say or approve of – then do they really ever take ownership of their decisions?

Do you want them owning YOUR decisions, or theirs.

This is so important in dealing with teenagers. We have to let them make decisions, and take ownership of them, and work through those consequences. Isn’t that what God does for us? Or does he “make us” follow the bible? It’s a choice. When I choose right, I see the reward, when I choose wrong I see the consequence. When God allows us to choose, He also allows us to experience ownership.  I heard one student say this once, ” I have my dad’s faith, but Im trying to make it my own faith“. This takes time, especially in a christian home.

They cant take ownership unless you allow them to. Ownership is taken by letting go. My advice if you deal with young people is to guide and direct, give your opinion… then step back and let them decide. It’s tough, but it sure does help them take ownership in their life.

Greater Things…

Just wanted to show everyone what the students gave me Friday night at FNL, yes it almost takes up my entire fireplace mantle…

Thank you, I love you, & will miss you all!

Post Camp…

A lot of time, energy, and money goes into youth camp. God speaks and students get stoked on Him… for about a week or two after they get home, at least that’s what usually happens.

Today we had a middle school lake party (there are pics on my FB page). On the way, I look over at the passenger seat and Austin Goines is reading his bible. I asked him what he was reading and he told me, “John chapter 16″. Here’s why…

• Ryley Brown & a few others (including Austin) were challenged at camp to start a bible study
• They all decided to start reading in John
• They read on their own, one chapter a day
• Then on Sundays & Wednesdays they get together to discuss what they read

That’s awesome! Following through with a camp commitment, & some accountability!!

Way to go guys – you’re setting the pace for the student ministry. Proud of you!

Kevin

The Last Five: Fear

Wednesday night we continued in our series, The Last Five. If there is one more thing I could leave with the students, it would be this… “Dont let your fears define who you are – let your faith define who you are”. To listen, click here

The Last Five: Love

Wednesday night we talked about one other thing I would leave the students with: Love. I didn’t leave them the message that I love them (even though I do). It was more the message of keeping LOVE out in front! If we will do this one thing, then everything else in our life will fall in line with God. You can listen here to find out what I mean by that…

The Show’s Over…

On the last day of youth camp a few weeks ago, it hit me… that was my last camp with Promise Land, it saddens me. As we gave the invitation for the last message, I watched students go to the altar and pray. Some I got the privilege of praying with one on one. When almost everyone left the room… I couldn’t. I just sat against the wall reflecting over the years. I jotted down a few thoughts in this poem:

 

but its just begun

I’ve shed many tears

I’ve had a lot of fun

 

I’m going to miss your laughs,

I’m going to miss your tears

How I still desire

To help navigate you through your fears

 

One thing I hope I’ve left you with

To lean on the Truth

You know that’s the only thing

That will pull you through

 

I’m Sad

I just want to sit here

To think about what God has done

Over the past six years

 

He has done so much

Yet still has more to do

If you’ll just follow The Spirit

That is inside of you

 

You dont know it

But the next leader that’s brought on

will take you to places

I could have never done

 

Dont settle for small things,

When being used by God, 

That wont do

Make much of Him, by making less of you

 

If you’ll make that your goal in life

God will take you to heights you have never been

He will exalt you for one reason,

to give glory to Him

 

Yep, the show’s over, but its just begun

Just when you think God’s finished

He will show you

He’s not even close to being done!

 

The best is yet to come students – I love you

Kevin