General Jody’s MARCHING ORDERS

Have you ever spent time reading 1 Chronicles 11:10-47? It is here (and 2 Sam 23:8-39), that we find record of David’s top leaders. I find it fascinating the men that David was able to attract and retain. These men were fierce warriors, killing hundreds of other men with the spear in a single battle, defending a field against a Phillistine onslaught, killing an Egyptian giant by using a club to beat the spear from his hands and killing the giant with his own weapon, chasing a lion into a pit in a snow storm and killing it. These men were fearless, relentless, and devoted to their king. Thru their trials, they were prepared for greater battle and received honor amonst their peers as well as those whom they led.

What giants are you facing today? Do you feel as though you are in the midst of a large field with only a couple of friends holding off an entire battalion? Are you chasing the lion into the pit, or is it chasing you? It is easy at times to become weary by the battles of life, yet these men banded together, as brothers, and strengthened and encouraged each other. Their stories of deliverance and battles won gave them confidence in facing the next challenge. David could have never had the confidence with the sling and rocks against the giant had he not first defeated a bear and lion in much the same way.

When you are in the midst of life’s battles, remember how God has brought you thru things in the past. Be encouraged by God’s Word. Rally to the aid of your team members and friends. Spend your time in prayer thanking God for victory thru Christ Jesus. Come to the aid of someone who can not defend themselves. Spend yourself in a worthwhile cause. Die to yourself and sacrifice your life in service to the King of Kings. When you do, you find that the giants you are facing in your own life seem much smaller and less ominous than they did just yesterday. It is thru Christ that you find the strength to face them with confidence for with God ALL things are possible.

This weekend set a new milestone in attendance… 1268. Of that number over 325 were children. 60 people either gave or rededicated their lives to Christ (35 were 7th grade or younger). What an incredible weekend. the Kingdom of God is growing every day and I would like to thank each leader and volunteer at LWFC for being a huge part of what God is doing here.

Some folks think that children’s ministry does not make a significant impact in what happens in “big church”. I want to tell you, it does! For one family in particular this weekend, it made the difference in someone accepting Christ or not. A child was having difficulty adjusting to class. The team leader made a decision not to call the mother; because of that decision, the mother made a decision as well… a decision to make Jesus Christ the Lord of her life. Decisions we make in the children’s ministry do have eternal consequences. You are making a difference that reaches far beyond the comfort of the moment. Thank you Caroline for making the tough call and impacting the kingdom.

I really liked this post. Are we so focused on keeping things together in the ministry that we miss the obvious opportunities to recruit? It is easy to overlook things that you are not looking for. If you are looking for a volunteer, don’t get a preconceived notion of what that volunteer should look like (a parent, someone with a child in your class, etc.) You may be missing a phenomenal leader for your team by not stepping back at the big picture.

Before you rely on the church bulletin…

Published by Ryan Frank on March 18, 2008 in Leadership and Random.

Take thirty seconds and watch this video.

It will make you think twice before you rely on the church bulletin to recruit your nursery workers or drive VBS registration.

I ran across this post today and wanted to share it here. These statistics are staggering. Enjoy.

Fifteen percent

 

Published by Evan Doyle on March 9, 2008 in Uncategorized.

“Among young outsiders, 84 percent say they personally know at least one committed Christian. Yet just 15 percent thought the lifestyles of those Christ followers were significantly different from the norm.” (Page 48, unChristian, Baker Bookhouse, Grand Rapids, MI)

The first time I read that statistic it hit me hard. It’s really something to think about. According to Barna Research, approximately 120 million Americans are true born-again Christians. Think about that fifteen percent. That means that out of the 120 million Christians in America, just 18 million of those live like a Christian.

Let’s visualize that number. Say that everyone living east of the Mississippi River was Christian. Based on 2005 population estimates, the only region within that area that would be living for Christ would be the New York City Metropolitan Area. All I have to say is wow. That’s pathetic. Puny. Miniscule in proportion.

According to Barna Research, statistically speaking, Christians live very similar lives to non-Christians. Just as many view pornography. Just as many are adulterous. Just as many get drunk. Just as many use illegal drugs. Just as many get divorced. For all intents and purposes, as far as scientists are concerned, the modern Christian lifestyle is identical to the secular one. We’ve got a problem.

We can’t just ignore this. We may not like it, but it’s simple truth. Our job: to raise a generation of Christian children who don’t have that problem. To make them part of that fifteen percent. To be in the world, not of it. To reverse the problems Christianity has. To remind the world that Christians are true, loving, real, transparent people. You, as a children’s minister, have the task of fixing it. It won’t be easy, but one child at a time, we can change that with God’s help. That’s not the way I see it. That’s the way we all need to see it.

It is always awesome to see God move in the lives of people. This weekend, several people of all ages, children and adults, responded to the drawing of the Holy Spirit and received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It was awesome to hear the testimonies of the youth who were baptized. God is raising up a generation of children and youth who are chasing after Him with their whole heart.

Based on July 07 estimates, there are over 6.6 billion people on the planet. Of that population, approximately 30%, or 1.98 billion, are 14 or younger. In other words, there are more children alive today than the total world population in 1930. We have an opportunity to see more people reached by the gospel than any generation in history! That is exciting to me!