WORK and PLAY

Uncategorized / By

One of the tensions of the Christian Life

 Some time ago I was doing one of the things I find relaxing – reading a USA Today Newspaper at lunch while eating a cup of soup. In this issue there was an article on “Bad times are play times.” It mentioned many experts, but the focus was on Stuart Brown and his book “Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul.”  I ordered the book as soon as I got home.

One quote that caught my attention was “The opposite of play isn’t work … but depression.” When we are over extended “the drive to play will disappear.” Brown went on to say, “Play is particularly important during times that are sustainedly stressful.” What has caused me to think about this is that so many people I know are suffering burnout, depression or just listlessness. I have talked with several lately who wish they could just retire and check out. I think like most people in the helping fields, ministers have a tendency to carry around a lot of people’s problems and conflicts.

Martha plans to write a book on “Tensions in the Christian Life.” It will be a great book!  I have been thinking about one of those tensions recently and the article in the newspaper was directly related to it. Is it “Work and Play”, or “Work versus Play” or “Work and No Play” or “Play and No Work”?

I think sometimes as a Christian I have leaned to work, almost feeling play was somehow sinful. In fact, I have found myself sometimes even feeling guilty when I was playing.

John Bay was an American actor and playwright who wrote, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” I am not sure it does not also make Jack a depressed person.

Reading through the Bible again this year I have been impressed by a number of themes. One of them is the Sabbath principle. When it is mentioned there is often a statement like “on the seventh day do no work.” I think we are to focus on God, but I am not sure He didn’t intend for us to play a little. Even in the creation event, He rested on the seventh day.  Is not rest more than sleep?

Another theme in scripture is the relationship to fun and health. Proverbs 15:13 in the NIV says “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” In the Message that verse is “A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.” I like that!

A few chapters later in Proverbs 17:22 the Message version says “A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.”  The New Living Translation of that verse is “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

My son-in-law, Justin Bryeans, is much more philosophical and imaginative than I am and a theme for him is “rhythms.”  I think this comes from more than him being a drummer.  Our lives are to have a rhythm that I think includes both work and play.

As you look at your own life, do you have enough play? I think I have not, but am working on it. Not to excess, but to live in balance — To negotiate the tension so you end up with work and play.

Reformation Day

Theology / , / By

Reformation Day commemorates when the German monk and theologian, Martin Luther, nailed on the doors of a church his 95 Thesis in October 31, 1517.  This act launched the Protestant Reformation.

The Reformation brought several vital Theological issues to the forefront:

  1. The Supremacy of Scripture. This resulted in the translation of the Bible into the language of the people, so all could read it.
  2. Salvation (Justification) by faith or grace, not works.
  3. Priesthood of Believers. All followers of Christ are priests, not just the clergy.

Martin Luther, like all of us was flawed, but he turned people back to God and His Word.  The issues that he raised are core to my personal beliefs (theology). On this day I celebrate him and what his life signified.

What is Your Creed?

Theology / / By

A Creed (or credo in the Latin) is a statement of faith. It is often a brief summary of what a person believes.

The earliest Christian creed seems to be “Jesus is Lord!” (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:11). Three simple words, but difficult for most of us to live. I believe the desire of all true Christians is for Jesus Christ to be Lord of all aspects of our life.

Colossians 2:6 says, the Christian is one who “receives Jesus Christ as Lord.”

Historically, according to Alister McGrath, “the Creed was the profession of faith made by converts at their baptism and formed the basis of their instruction.” It was a declaration of faith and belief.

The Apostles Creed is perhaps the oldest of the creeds and is my favorite.

I find its words so true. Every time I read or hear it, I want to shout “YES.”

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven an earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (Christian) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting.

Amen.

This Creed contains so many rich truths that I believe. I found it amazing that so few words can say so much. In a world in which we are bombarded by words, words and more words, it is wonderful to have words like these to anchor our lives.

If you would like to study more about the Apostle Creed, I recommend “I Believe: Understanding and Applying the Apostles Creed” by Alister McGrath.

Volunteer Recognition

Recognition, Volunteers / / By

Here is a simple suggestion that could be used by any church. Each week in the program, list a group of people who have served the church that month in some area. For example:

  • Week one: all of the people who have been part of the worship band
  • Week two: all of the people who have served in the children’s ministry area
  • Week three: all of the people in the set-up, sound, media and hospitality
  • Week four: all the leaders of home groups

The idea is to recognize all volunteers. In a large church, you might want to subdivide these over several months, so that the lists are not too long. But the idea is to list each person’s name who volunteers periodically. Don’t forget people who volunteer in the office: bulletin folders, people who make copies, people who help with the offerings and accounting, etc.

This would accomplish a number of things:

  • Recognize those who serve
  • Highlight to those who do not serve the opportunities for service
  • Help the congregation get to know people who are serving and build community
  • Help the congregation know how many people it takes to provide the church’s ministries
  • Recognize people publically who are not usually seen by the general congregation

There is an old saying, “You get what you recognize”. When we express appreciation, we demonstrate that we believe those who volunteer are important to the ministry.

Mel

 

How do you assess a church?

Assessment, Evaluation, Re-calibration / By

As I have observed churches over the years I find myself continually asking, “Why do they do what they do?” “Does what they do align with Scripture? and sometimes “Why don’t they reflect Christ more?”

I have found that one or more of the following often explains why churches are the way they are:

  1. Their theological foundation and understanding.

Some churches are clearly seeking to live out their understanding of New Testament. It is clear that they have a solid Biblical and theological foundation for who they are.

Other churches are clearly lacking this. There foundation is more likely to be their heritage or personal preference, with little genuine thought of what God’s Word says. They are more than likely focusing on superficial forms and actions.

My understanding of the church in scripture is “Christian people demonstrating life under the Lordship of Christ.”

Some churches are built more on tradition and preference than the guidance of God through His word.

  1. Their contextual understanding of the people who make up their ministry area.

Some churches are real missionaries. They understand the people in their area: what their real and felt needs are, what the relate to, what has meaning to them. They understand the language of their community. Then they build bridges to the people in their area.

Others act as if everyone in their community is like them and they make no effort to understand or relate to those who might be different than they are. They do not take the time to learn the language or the culture.

We serve a missionary God who expects us to be missionaries.

Some churches are more like the castles of old with the draw bridges drawn up to keep out the outsiders.

  1. Their understanding of the needed systems to be a healthy missional church.

Some churches have identified the systems needed to be a Biblical church and have developed process to help them achieve desired outcomes.

Other churches are built on programs and events that may or may not be producing the desired result. But the sad thing is they are more committed to the programs than the results and outcomes.

The church needs to have processes and systems in place that lead people into Christ like living.

Some churches are busy running program, but seeing very little transformation in the people attending.

If the church is to represent Christ, it needs to:

  • Have a clear Biblical and theological understanding of what the church is to be and do
  • Understand the people that comprise their community
  • Have systems in place to ensure that they desire process and outcomes are happening.

Which of these does your church need to strengthen to reach your full kingdom potential?

 

 

Why is it so easy to over correct?

Leadership, Strategy / , , / By

As someone who has been observing and analyzing the church for most of my adult life, I find that whenever you find an excess, the next generation tends to over correct, much like a pendulum corrects to the opposite direction.

Let me share a few examples:

When the church became so focused on its liturgy, the next generation throughout all liturgy and became the Free Church. Both sides lost. The high church lost out on the vitality of the Spirit’s presence and the free church lost the depth of worship reflect in the liturgy.

When many in the American builder and boomer generations went to excess focusing on individualism to the exclusion of community, the next generation has swung the pendulum so much to community that they have excluded individual roles and responsibilities. I see this really come out in how each generation exegetes Biblical texts. Many in the Boomer/Builder generations read all scripture as if it only applied to the individual. Many in the Xer/ Millennial generations read all texts as if it were only understood in community. Each generation lost something in the over reaction to the previous generation.

While many in the Builder generation emphasized Bible knowledge/theology and the first commandment (Love God). Many in the Xer/Millennial generations emphasize living the life of compassion and the second commandment (Loving others). The older generation missed the importance of compassion and relationships and the younger is missing the strength of orthodox beliefs. I am afraid there are very many in our churches that no longer have a belief system based on Scripture, therefore they fall into relativism.

Many in the older generations tied God to County, sometimes losing sight that our primary citizenship is in heaven and that countries can and do become evil.  Some in the younger generation almost make it God against country. Both miss out of scriptural insights. We are to prayer for and honor our leaders, yet at the same time we have loyalties that supersede where we now live. Daniel in the Bible I think reflects this balance.

Finding the appropriate tension between ways of thinking has always been more difficult than just letting ourselves continue to over correct. I pray the church has the strength to not settle for over-reaction and over correction. The over corrections leave the church continually out of balance.

Developing others

Leadership / / By

I believe one of the most important roles and responsibilities of a leader is to develop their followers and others God brings them into relationship with.

As I look around I see many leaders who are glad to use people, but see no responsibility for developing them. It seems the roles described in Ephesians 4 and II Timothy 2 are forgotten.

Here are a few functions I believe are part of being a Christian leader:

  1. Look for and discover potential leaders.
    • Potential leaders often do not know their abilities, what they are capable of, or where they would best fit. They need someone to help them develop a clear self-perception.
    • Potential leaders need someone who sees in them what they can become. Someone with discernment and understanding.
    • Potential leader need a leader who will mentor them, not just in how to do what they are now doing, but how to become something more.
  1. Develop potential leaders for the Kingdom of God, not just your ministry.

I find many people in positions of leadership are so consumed with their own church or ministry, they do not take the time to develop potential leaders who don’t fit their pressing needs. This is a shortsighted and selfish perspective. The mission of God needs more leaders, so think God’s Kingdom, not my kingdom. I see many leaders who are so focused on themselves, they miss wonderful opportunities to make Kingdom impact. A healthy church or organization should be producing more leaders than they can use.

  1. When you see leaders with great potential, help them develop for the long haul, not just quick success.

Churches and leaders have a tendency to encourage high potential leaders to skip important developmental steps. They see someone who seems to be a natural leader, so they immediately make them a youth pastor before they have developed spiritual depth and Biblical knowledge and wisdom. This is why I highly recommend churches, when they see a young person with high potential, to provide scholarships for these leaders to get solid academic degrees. Be willing to give up three or four years, to get a solid leader.

  1. Potential leader need someone to help them navigate the organizations structure and culture.

Some churches and organizations are toxic. True leaders help potential leaders navigate landmines and politics, and keep their heart and mind focused on the mission of God and His values and attitudes.

I am sure there are many other principles, but these are a beginning.

Who are you and your church developing?

ESTABLISH POSTERIORITIES

Planning, Time / / By

To do what really matters, you must set Posterioritites – things you will not do or will quit doing.

“The first rule for the concentration of executive efforts is to slough off the past that has ceased to be productive.” –Peter Drucker

“One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it.” — Sidney Howard

Remember, Jesus did not do everything. But He did everything the Father wanted Him to do! He did what mattered.

Identify:

  1. Tasks not to tackle.

Reflection question: What are some things I should not do? What are some things I think I would like to do that I probably should not even start?

  1. Tasks no longer worth doing.

Reflection question: What are some things I am now doing I should stop?

  1. Tasks that won’t be missed.

Reflection question: What are some tasks or programs we could stop and hardly anyone would notice?

  1. Tasks someone else can do.

Reflection question: What are some things others could do that I am now doing?

A young violinist was asked the secret of her success. She replied,  “Planned neglect.” She continued, “For many years I deliberately neglected everything that didn’t help me reach my goal.”

“All true leaders have learned to say no to the good in order to say yes to the best.”  ― John Maxwell 

Some very helpful Reflection Questions that  have helped me identify things I should not be doing are:

  1. What am I willing not to achieve?
  2. What am I not called to do?
  3. What is not important to me?
  4. What gets in the way?

You do not have time to do everything, but you do have time to do everything that matters.

What Drives Your Organization?

Strategy / , , , / By

Every organization that is achieving results has something “driving” it. What the driver is will vary, but without a driver, the organization will fall into mediocrity and eventually decline.

Some will say the driver must be one thing (examples: mission, vision, purposes, or culture/values.) It has been my observation and experience that it can actually be any of these, but there must be a clear driver. I am aware of world class organizations that use each of these. They know their driver and it shapes their organization.

In a healthy organization:

  • The driver often keeps leaders up at night dreaming about it?
  • The driver is what causes an organization to make hard strategic decisions?
  • The driver is the thing that trumps all other considerations in decision making?

Unfortunately, many organizations have no driver or they have too many drivers. Many things could cause this: being overwhelmed by the day to day, lack of conviction, lack of confidence, doing business by routine, or lack of clarity by senior leadership. I am sure there are many other reasons that we could add to this list. When the driver is fuzzy, everything is fuzzy.

Senior leaders must get clarity on the organizations driver and make that the most important thing there is in the organization. I would say that this and leadership development are the most important jobs of senior leaders. Why does your organization exist? What is it trying to accomplish? Why does this matter?

The driver will affect how money is spent, who is hired or recruited, what fill up the calendar, what gets emphasized and what doesn’t. The driver will literally shape the organization.

Does your organization have clarity on what is its driver?

Church Events

Planning, Strategy / , / By

I think it is import for Church leadership to answer these seven questions about every event that they establish:

  1. Why are we doing this event? (What is its purpose and mission)
  2. How will this event help people move forward (take their next step)? Events are never an end, but a step in a process.
  3. How will we make the Next Step clear at and through the event? (Will an attender know what they should do next and is it easy to do?)
  4. How will we measure the effectiveness of the event? (It is not how many attend, but how many take the next step).
  5. Who is responsible for getting ALL the information to the communication people?
  6. By when will ALL the information be given to the communication people?
  7. How will the event be promoted?

If you can’t answer these questions, you probably should not be doing the event.