For me, this Sunday will mark my last day as a minister. Sunday morning I will teach my last class at Goodwood Blvd Church of Christ. I will give my goodbye hugs and then take one last trip to Florida with my family before I go up to Searcy in order to begin my new job.

My new job title is Records Coordinator, not minister. My work will be at a treatment center for teenage boys, not a church. I will no longer be required to host Tuesday night Bible studies, travel to Honduras for two weeks during the summer, or plan the other numerous events associated with being an Associate Minister. For the first time in about 6 years I will be free to go “church shopping.” I have been use to be one of the members greeting the visitors and I wonder how I will handle the transition. It has been over 3 years since I have had the opportunity to simply sit in a class and learn rather than teach. I won’t have to leave early on Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon for an elders meeting.

But will I ever stop being a minister? I believe very strongly that every member is a minister. From observation I do believe that the axiom 80% of the work gets done by 20% of people is true. I definitely want to be in that 20% wherever we go. But also believe that one of the keys to being a good minister is equipping others so that you don’ have to shoulder the load yourself. So I am praying that when we get to Searcy that we can find a congregation that can use our talents to further God’s kingdom.

If there is anyone out there who has some advice about making the transition from church to “secular” work, I would to hear it!

Tags: Church, Minister, Ministry

I had every intention of doing this much earlier in the day, but things have been crazy as I prepare for my departure from Louisiana. Today was the day of going out to eat with everyone, trying to say the last good-byes.

So here are some of my favorite links of the week:

1. ONE has done an amazing job providing materials for Christians, Jews and Muslims to be able to educate their followers about global poverty.  This is an issue that everyone should be trying to solve.
2. Matt Dabbs has provided a wonderful lists of books and blogs related to Biblical Archaeology.
3. Chase the Goose was one of my favorite books of this year, in fact I have it on the top 10 lists of all time, as far as books that have influenced my faith.  Mark Batterson has graciously providing some resources for those who may be using the book in small group studies at their church, check it out.
4. How do you read the text with fresh eyes?
5. This post means a lot to me as I leave “ministry.”

I hope everyone has a great weekend, as for me, I am getting ready to go to bed.

Tags: Blogs, Books, Links

TOMS Project Holiday

If you have not checked out the Cause section of this blog yet, let me highly encourage you to do so.  In particular I want to highlight the efforts of TOMS shoes this holiday season.  TOMS is an organization that gives away one pair of shoes for every pair that is purchased.  Shoes drops have taken place in Argentina, South Africa, and this holiday season: Ethiopia.

The goal is to donate 30,000 pairs of shoes to children in Ethiopia who do not have shoes.  And really its not just a lack of shoes that is a problem.  For these children in Ethiopia, a lack of shoes exposes them too pain and disease that is completely preventable.

Now, I know you wondering, what’s the price?  Adult shoes range from $42 to $70.  That’s pretty reasonable for 2 pair of shoes.  Why don’t you head over there now and place your order?

Tags: Causes, Ethiopia, Giving, TOMS Shoes

First, let me make some confessions about my prayer life:

1. I am a guy.  I know that sounds like a cop out type of answer, but it’s true.  On average, guys use less words per day than girls.  I have 4 girls in my family and they talk my ear off, especially my 4 year old, Gabie (trust me, the name fits!).  So by the end of the day, when I get to my prayer time, when the girls are finally asleep, I feel like I have run out words.

2. By God’s nature, I am an introvert.  Simply put, it means I get energized by looking within, not by being with others.  If I prefer being by myself instead of being with people who I can, how difficult do you think it is for me to spend time with a being that I can’t see?

Prayer, it seems, has always been difficult for me.   I recognized this as I started college as a Bible major.  I knew it needed to change, so I did what must of us do when I had a problem that needed solving: I bought a book.  I bought several books in fact.  I bought books that would teach me how to pray. I bought books filled with powerful prayers that could change my life.  I found books about obscure prayers of the Bible and books about the Lord’s Prayer.  I could tell you a lot about prayers, but I still couldn’t pray!

For awhile I thought that there must be something wrong with me.  Then when I became a minister, I knew there was something wrong.  Who ever heard of a minister that doesn’t love to pray!  I’ll admit, even during the last three years as a minster, I have struggled in prayer.

But here is a realization that I have come to: prayer reflects my relationship with God.  I know that sounds, simple, but stop and think about the relationships that you have with people.  How many of your friends do you talk to every single day?  My list is very short, in fact the only person who makes that list is my wife.  Now, I ask myself, what do I talk with my wife about?  Right now most of our conversations are about our kids and our upcoming move.  There are the constant reminders of things that need to be done before we leave.  And while my wife probably feels that she repeats herself more often than she should, there are very few things that we talk about more than two or three times.

So why is it that when most of us pray we have the same formalized list that repeat time and again.  If you talked with your friends like this they would hang up the phone, stop viewing your text, or simply walk away.  I think we also get bored saying the same thing. Think about it.  Something exciting happens to you so you tell a friend. Later, a co-worker wants to hear the story, then the guy down the hall wants to hear.  Soon, you have to tell everyone in the break room.  Eventually you get tired of it.  You wish you had recorded it so you could just pop the tape in.  I think sometimes, God just wants us to break the cycle and pray something out of the ordinary.  Maybe I just need to pray the impossible, to pray for something that only God can handle.  Maybe I should break away from the “script” and actually talk with Him the way I normally talk.

I don’t know, maybe you can help me out, will you pray for me?

Tags: Discipleship, Personal Disciplines, Prayer, Spiritual Growth

Might be to check this out from the library or borrow it from a friend.  While Living Rich for Less by Ellie Kay is a helpful book, I don’t that it falls into the category of books that you must own.

First, let me say that this is a very timely book in light of the financial difficulty that has beset much of America.  There is also a chapter about living green; another important consideration for us at this time.

What I really liked about this book was the order in which it addressed the issues tied to financial management.  First, the author addresses giving, then savings, then spending.  Too often these approaches to money management are in the reverse order when it comes how we live our lives.  There are also some great tips throughout the book on various topics, from debt management, stocks, health insurance and more.

I have had to come to terms with the fact that I cannot buy every book I want to buy.  Some books can be read once and then returned to shelf.  Such books are can be left in the public library and not your personal one.  There are a myriad of resources out there on this topic.  In fact you can check out Ellie Kay’s website for some of the best (check the Tool Center).  But I would serious take her advice that comes even before the introduction to look for the things that you can cut out so you can save some money.

Tags: Book Review, Discipline, Ellie Kay, Finances

Last month Logos released a new resource to aid for Bible Study.  It’s not an additional to your digital library, its Bible Study Magazine.  This first issue features Josh McDowell on “Defending the Bible.”  This was not the article that really grabbed my attention however.

There are several articles throughout the magazine that seek to improve the average person’s Bible study skills.  In fact, one article outlines an 8 week study of Hebrews 1:1-14 (although there is a consistent typo in the references).

There is also a great interview with Dr. Goodacre about how he reads the Gospels.  This article has inspired to spend next year working through the Gospels.  Another highlight was an article examining Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah.  It is refreshing to see that the article does not simply provide pat answers when examining the Sennacherib’s Prism, which, at first glance, appears to conflict with biblical narrative.  It will be interesting to see where parts 2 and 3 of this series take us (which of course means I will need to get a subscription before the January/February issue comes out).

I would highly recommend this magazine for anyone interested in improving thier Bible studies.

Tags: Apologetics, Bible Study, Bible Study Magazine, Josh McDowell, Logos, Reviews

This has been a great week for blog posts, it was really a challenge to narrow my list down, but here they are:

1. Ben Witherington III has become one my favorite writers.  I recently added his Socio-Rhetorical Commentary set to my Logos software and it has quickly become my go-to resource (for the New Testament books which are available).  Needless to say, I was very excited to find his blog.  Here is does a masterful job with the virgin birth.

2. During the difficult economic times we should all be asking ourselves WWAD (What would the Amish Do)?

3. Beyond Relevance has done an excellent series of posts concerning church marketing, starting with a video examining what would happen if Starbucks marketed like the church.  Here is this week’s offering on being better than the “shop down the road.”

4. Before the true Christmas rush hits, realize that the greatest gifts you can give cannot be bought in stores.

5. Church marketing has been a popular theme with a couple of the blogs that I read, but not everyone is a big fan of it.  Take Tony Morgan for example, who, a couple of weeks ago, suggested that churches should stop marketing.  This post helps clear up Tony’s true view on the matter.

6. I have not actually played the game yet, but the idea of teach kids about world poverty through an addictive game like this sounds like a winner to me!

7. This is from a new blog I have been reading, Stoned-Campbell Disciple.  Bobby’s thoughts express and connect many of the same thoughts I have been having since reading Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell.  In this post Bobby is examining the pattern of Exodus throughout the Bible.

8. I have loved how so many of the things written on ProBlogger can be taken and applied to the church.  So if this is the only link you click on, take his advice and build a strategy for your community.

9. Sometimes it is the little things in ministry, which often go unnoticed, that make a big difference.

10. Gen-We. check it out how the next generation is making a difference. Thanks to the guys at Rethinking Youth Ministry who first wrote about this.

11. Honestly, this is from last week, but it was too good to pass up.  First, Mike Cope is speaking about one of my favorite paintings, but now I know, the rest of the story…

Again, sorry for such a long lists of links this weeks, but hopefully you will find something here that helps you in your walk with Christ.

Tags: Christianity, Church marketing, Links, Ministry

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]

The last truth I believe we need to hold onto without fail is this: The Word of God is Living and Active.  The Word of God would be more at home at a zoo than an museum.  Unfortunately, many have tried to tame the Word of God and put it in a cage.  But the Word must remain living and active in our lives.

For many, the Bible has become a manual.  I don’t know about you, but like most guys I throw manuals in a junk drawer, only to be used when something breaks.  Typically they never see the light of day.  Is this how we treat the Bible?

The Word of God is meant to be lived in our whole life, not just given a corner of it.  The important question for us is, how are we doing this?

You should also really check out this video from one of my friends, Kyle Mott, who is a youth minister in Kingsport, TN.

Tags: Bible Study, Christianity, Devotional Thoughts, The Bible

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

The fourth truth we need to hold onto as Christians is this: “I can all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 3:14.  This is a wildly popular verse that is often taken out of context, see Tim Tebow and many others who wear it during games.

I share that, not to attack players who do this.  I am glad they find strength in the Lord who gave them the ability to play a such a great level, but in the context of the passage, winning a football game or even just achieving your dream is not what Paul is talking about.  Paul is talking about contentment.  His message is that no matter what circumstance he finds himself in, he knows that God will provide what is needed.

We need to remember that I can do all things through Christ as long as it is His will.  So far in my life it has not been His will to let me fly like a bird, travel back in time, or perform any miracles like the ones He did during his earth ministry, but that doesn’t make the verse untrue.  He has provided me with the strength to face my temptations without falling, but also the strength to get back up when I do.  I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.  The things which are impossible for man are now possible through Christ.

Tags: Bible Study, Christianity, Devotional Thoughts, Philippians 4:13